Hyderabad, February 14 The BJP is set to secure the mayoral post in Karimnagar with the support of independents, as it emerged as the single largest party in the municipal corporation elections. The party has also decided to sit in 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 would 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 independents and an AIFB Corporator met Union MoS (Home) Bandi Sanjay Kumar and extended support to the BJP on Saturday. Another six Corporators are also holding 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 risen to 35, the party looks certain to secure the mayoral post in the Karimnagar corporation.
In Nizamabad, the BJP on Saturday decided to sit in opposition despite emerging as the single largest party.
Out of the total 60 wards in Nizamabad, BJP won 28, while Congress won 17, followed by AIMIM (14) and BRS (1).
Accusing Congress and AIMIM of having an unholy alliance, BJP sources said the party decided to sit in 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 on February 13 said 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.
The election of Mayors, Deputy Mayors, and municipal chairpersons and vice-chairpersons would take place on February 16.