Hyderabad, February 14 The BJP is set to secure the Mayor's post in Karimnagar with the support of independent candidates, as it emerged as the single largest party in the municipal corporation elections. The party has also decided to sit in the opposition in Nizamabad, party sources said on Saturday.
Meanwhile, suspense continued over who will assume power in the Kothagudem corporation, as the ruling Congress and CPI won an equal number of wards.
Congress will occupy power in the remaining four municipal corporations of Nalgonda, Mancherial, Ramagundam, and Mahabubnagar.
Out of the total 66 wards in Karimnagar, the BJP won 30, while Congress, BRS, AIMIM, AIFB (All India Forward Block), and independents won 14, 9, 3, 3, and 7 wards respectively.
Three independent candidates and an AIFB Corporator met Union MoS (Home) Bandi Sanjay Kumar and extended support to the BJP on Saturday. Another six Corporators are also in talks with the BJP leaders, party sources said.
Kumar can also cast his vote as an ex-officio member of the corporation.
With the BJP's strength already increased to 35, the party looks certain to secure the Mayor's post in the Karimnagar corporation.
In Nizamabad, the BJP decided to sit in the opposition despite emerging as the single largest party.
Out of the total 60 wards in Nizamabad, the BJP won 28, while Congress won 17, followed by AIMIM (14) and BRS (1).
Accusing Congress and AIMIM of having an unholy alliance, the BJP sources said the party decided to sit in the opposition in the town.
In the 60-member Kothagudem Corporation, Congress and CPI won 22 wards each. Independents, BRS, BJP, and CPI(M) won six, 8, 1, and 1 respectively.
BRS Working President K T Rama Rao said on February 13 that he made an open offer of support to the CPI so that the two parties can fight together against the alleged irregularities in the state-run miner Singareni Collieries. Singareni Collieries has a major presence in Kothagudem.
However, Congress and CPI are expected to reach an understanding as they are pre-poll allies.
CPI leaders Palla Venkat Reddy and E T Narasimha held a meeting with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Saturday evening. State Congress president B Mahesh Kumar Goud was also present at the meeting, Congress sources said.
The election of Mayors, Deputy Mayors, and municipal chairpersons and vice chairpersons will take place on February 16.
