Hyderabad, Feb 16 (NationPress) The opposition party BJP made significant strides by obtaining control of the Karimnagar Municipal Corporation, while the ruling Congress party successfully secured the Mayor’s seat in Nizamabad Municipal Corporation with AIMIM's backing this past Monday.

In a tightly contested election, Kolagani Srinivas was appointed as the inaugural BJP Mayor of Karimnagar.

The BJP emerged as the largest party within the 66-member municipal body, winning 30 seats, and combined with the support of Independent corporators, reached a total of 34.

Y. Sunil Rao, also from the BJP, was selected as Deputy Mayor.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, an ex officio member, was instrumental in rallying the necessary support for the party to claim the mayor's position.

The Congress party, with only 14 members, managed to gain the assistance of seven additional corporators, including three from the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM).

Notably, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), which had acquired nine seats, chose to abstain from the voting process.

In a surprising turn before the elections, five Independent corporators switched allegiance to the Congress party.

As part of their strategy to prevent the BJP from securing the Mayor's seat, the ruling party relocated its corporators and the newly allied Independents to Hyderabad.

Although the BJP was the single largest party in Nizamabad Municipal Corporation with 28 out of 60 divisions, it fell short of the required magic number of 31.

In contrast, the Congress party won 17 divisions and, with the support of AIMIM, which secured 14 divisions, claimed the Mayor’s position. Uma Rani of Congress was elected as Mayor, while Salma Tahseen of AIMIM served as Deputy Mayor.

This outcome reflects Congress's dominance in five out of the seven municipal corporations where elections took place on February 11, alongside 116 municipalities throughout the state.

Expressing his elation over the BJP’s success in Karimnagar, Bandi Sanjay described it as a historic occasion. “Today is not merely a political achievement; it is an emotional milestone. It feels like a dream that many of us have cherished for years. I extend my gratitude to the voters who placed their faith in the vision of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi and opted for development with dignity. From being a corporator, walking through wards, to witnessing a BJP Mayor take the oath while the saffron flag flies over Karimnagar Municipal Corporation, this is personal,” he shared on ‘X’.

The Minister emphasized that this victory belongs to every ‘karyakarta’ who invested their effort in this struggle. “Those who faced pressure, threats, and insults yet stood tall—this day is for you. You didn’t just campaign; you carried belief on your shoulders. In the very ward where the Majlis party office is located, our karyakartas hoisted the saffron flag. That image will remain with me eternally. It symbolizes courage. It represents change. Despite plots, pressure tactics, and every endeavor to diminish our morale, the BJP remained steadfast. We didn’t retreat. We didn’t compromise. We declared we would win. And we did!” he remarked.