BJP Gains Chairperson Role in Khanapur Municipality with BRS Partnership
Synopsis
In a surprising political turn, the BJP has secured the chairperson position in Khanapur municipality, Telangana, thanks to a strategic alliance with the BRS. This victory signifies a notable shift in local governance dynamics.
Key Takeaways
BJP has gained chairperson position in Khanapur municipality with BRS support.
The election occurred under tight security.
BJP candidate Ankham Mounika was elected, and BRS candidate Mohammad Shoaib became vice-chairperson.
The alliance reflects changing political dynamics in Telangana.
Congress's influence is being challenged in local governance.
Hyderabad, April 5 (NationPress) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has successfully obtained the chairperson position of Khanapur municipality in Telangana through the alliance with the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
The voting for the municipal chairperson in Khanapur, located in Nirmal district, transpired under stringent security measures on Sunday.
BJP's nominee, Ankham Mounika, emerged victorious for the chairperson role after garnering support from both BJP and BRS councillors.
The two parties forged a pact regarding the chairperson and vice-chairperson roles, leading to the election of BRS candidate Mohammad Shoaib as the vice-chairperson.
Khanapur was among the municipalities that produced a divided outcome during the urban local body elections conducted in February.
Within the 12-member municipal council, both BRS and BJP secured four seats each, while the ruling Congress party obtained three seats, and an independent candidate was also elected.
With the backing of the independent and an ex-officio vote, Congress's total strength increased to five, with one BRS councillor also pledging support to Congress, thus providing them a total of six votes.
Despite this, the BJP clinched the chairperson position with the support of three BRS councillors, while in return, BJP facilitated the election of the BRS candidate as vice-chairperson.
This development marks the second municipality where BJP has gained power within the state.
In response to the BJP-BRS alliance, Congress MLA from Khanapur, Vedma Bhojju, labeled it as ‘love jihad’, alleging that both parties coerced councillors to secure their electoral victory.
BJP state president N. Ramchander Rao asserted that the lotus has flourished in Khanapur despite the Congress party's misuse of power and undemocratic strategies.
“This victory is particularly significant as it occurred despite every undemocratic maneuver employed by the Congress MLA to thwart the BJP. Our dedicated activists remained steadfast, and the lotus blossomed triumphantly,” the BJP leader shared on ‘X’.
Khanapur was one of three municipalities where the elections for chairpersons and vice-chairpersons could not be finalized last month due to the fractured mandate.
On Saturday, the main opposition BRS claimed chairperson and vice-chairperson positions in Ibrahimpatnam and Kyathanpally municipalities.
In Ibrahimpatnam, BRS councillor T. Sudershan Reddy was elected as chairman, while BJP's Muthyala Shyamala Bhaskar was named vice-chairperson.
The BRS-CPI coalition also took control of the Kyathanpalli municipality in the Mancherial district, with G. Sandhya Rani of BRS and M. Saritha of CPI winning the chairperson and vice-chairperson roles respectively.
The ruling Congress government had previously secured power in over 90 out of 115 municipalities and six out of seven municipal corporations during February.
Point of View
The BJP's alliance with the BRS in Khanapur municipality reflects shifting political landscapes in Telangana. While the Congress party's influence has faced challenges, this development raises questions about future alignments and governance strategies in local bodies across the state.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to BJP's victory in Khanapur municipality?
BJP's victory in Khanapur municipality was facilitated by an alliance with BRS, allowing BJP candidate Ankham Mounika to secure the chairperson position.
How did the Congress party react to this alliance?
Congress MLA Vedma Bhojju criticized the BJP-BRS alliance as 'love jihad' and accused both parties of pressuring councillors to win the election.
What was the election outcome in Khanapur municipality?
In the municipal council, both BJP and BRS secured four seats each, while Congress obtained three seats, and one independent was elected.
What does this victory mean for BJP in Telangana?
This victory signifies BJP's growing influence in Telangana, marking the second municipality it has captured in the state.
What other municipalities were affected by this political shift?
The BRS also secured chairperson and vice-chairperson roles in Ibrahimpatnam and Kyathanpally municipalities, indicating a broader impact of their political strategies.
