Telangana politics has taken a dramatic turn after the Congress extended support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in several municipal bodies following the recent local elections, triggering sharp reactions from the opposition.
The unexpected political development has drawn comparisons with similar events in Maharashtra, where rival parties joined hands to secure power in civic bodies.
In Telangana, leaders of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) have accused the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party of forming an “unholy alliance” to keep BRS out of power in key municipalities.
Municipal-Level Political Drama
One prominent example is the Narsapur municipality, where Congress secured the Chairperson post while reportedly offering the Vice-Chairperson position to the BJP. Similar political arrangements were seen in Sirpur-Kagaznagar and Metpally.
In Aliabad municipality, Congress won the Chairperson’s seat with the support of three BJP councillors. Likewise, in Amangal, cooperation between the two parties influenced the final outcome.
These developments have sparked debate over whether parties that oppose each other at the national level are joining forces at the grassroots for political advantage.
Harish Rao Attacks Alliance
Senior BRS leader T. Harish Rao strongly criticized the move, stating that for over a decade Congress and BJP have accused BRS of being each other’s “B-team.” However, he claimed that the latest developments show both parties are “two sides of the same coin.”
Harish Rao alleged that BRS emerged as the single largest party in several municipalities but was prevented from securing chairperson posts due to strategic collaboration between Congress and BJP. He also questioned whether the government led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is informally aligning with the BJP.
Maharashtra Comparison
The situation is being compared to recent developments in Ambernath, Maharashtra, where BJP, Congress, and the faction of Ajit Pawar joined hands to form the “Ambernath Vikas Aghadi,” keeping Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) out of power.
However, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis later clarified that the state leadership had not officially approved such an alliance.
BJP Responds
Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao rejected allegations of an alliance, claiming instead that Congress and BRS are working together in areas where the BJP is strong. He cited the example of Karimnagar Municipal Corporation, where BJP secured the mayoral post.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders have described the developments as “local-level decisions” taken in the interest of development. Senior leaders from both parties have largely avoided detailed public comments, possibly to prevent national-level political backlash.
Political Implications
The unfolding events in Telangana highlight how local body politics can differ significantly from national narratives. As municipal power equations shift, the Congress-BJP cooperation — whether strategic or situational — is likely to remain a major talking point in the state’s political landscape.
