The recent local body elections in Telangana have concluded with the ruling Congress party securing a notable win. Party leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi, have publicly thanked party workers and the electorate for this outcome. The victory is being interpreted by the Congress as a clear indication of public trust in their governance and their vision for the state.
Election Overview and Key Figures
The elections for 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations across Telangana saw significant participation. Polling occurred for 2,582 wards in these local bodies. The counting of votes took place on February 13, 2026, with results declared later that day.
Total Wards: 2,582 across 116 municipalities and 7 municipal corporations.
Counting Centers: 123 locations statewide.
Voting Date: February 11, 2026.
Counting Date: February 13, 2026.
Party Performance Data
Data compiled from various reports indicates a clear lead for the Congress party, with other parties also securing a share of the wards.
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| Party | Wards Won (Approximate) |
|---|---|
| Congress | 1,300 - 1,537 |
| BRS | 700 - 781 |
| BJP | 261 - 336 |
| AIMIM | 22 - 66 |
| Independents | 170 - 171 |
| Others | Varying |
Note: Figures are approximate due to slight variations in reporting across different sources. The exact number of wards is 2,582 across 116 municipalities and 7 corporations.
Official Reactions and Interpretations
Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress president, expressed his gratitude, stating that the mandate reflects the "trust of the people." He specifically lauded the efforts of the grassroots workers of Telangana Congress.
Rahul Gandhi echoed these sentiments, characterizing the results as an "endorsement of the Congress government’s people-first policies." He highlighted these policies as being "rooted in social justice and inclusive growth."

The Congress leadership is framing this victory as validation of their governance and promises, such as the "Prajala Telangana" vision.
On-the-Ground Results and Specific Wins
Several reports highlight specific victories for the Congress:
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Madhira Municipality: Congress won 18 out of 22 wards.
Nalgonda District Municipalities: Congress secured significant wins in Chandur, Chityal, and Devarakonda. For instance, in Chityal (12 wards), Congress won 9. In Haliya (12 wards), Congress won 11.
Chandur Municipality Postal Ballots: Congress secured 13 votes out of 20.
Banswada Municipality: Congress won 11 out of 19 wards.
The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), previously the ruling party in Telangana, secured a significant number of wards, indicating continued support in certain areas. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also registered its presence, aiming to establish itself as a notable alternative.

Analysis of Party Strategies and Mandates
The Congress party appears to be attributing its success to its governance model and a focus on social justice and inclusive development. The phrasing "people-first policies" suggests an emphasis on welfare and community-oriented programs.
The BRS and BJP, while not achieving the top position, have nonetheless secured substantial votes, suggesting that the political landscape remains competitive. The presence of AIMIM and a notable number of Independents also points to a multi-cornered contest in some urban areas.
The Role of Party Leadership and Campaigns
The involvement of national leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi in campaigning and reacting to the results underscores the national party's focus on state-level successes. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy's visit to Delhi to meet with Kharge and Gandhi prior to the results further indicates a coordinated leadership approach.
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The election was seen as a key test of popularity for the ruling Congress, as well as the opposition BRS and BJP.
Conclusion and Future Implications
The Telangana municipal election results represent a significant victory for the Congress party. The reported outcomes suggest a strong public endorsement of the current government's policies. The performance of the BRS and BJP indicates that they remain key political players in the state.
The Congress leadership views these results as a positive indicator of public trust, potentially influencing future electoral strategies and public perception. The election also highlighted the persistent influence of regional parties and independent candidates in the local governance structure.
Sources Used:
Deccan Chronicle: https://www.deccanchronicle.com/southern-states/telangana/kharge-rahul-hail-congress-win-in-telangana-local-body-polls-1937204
Livemint: https://www.livemint.com/elections/telangana-municipal-election-results-2026-live-updates-congress-vs-brs-vs-bjp-counting-begins-in-116-seats-revanth-reddy-11770950186124.html
The Financial Express: https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/telangana-municipal-election-results-2026-live-updates-check-election-commission-telangana-civic-election-results-for-karimnagar-nizamabad-ramagundam-mahbubnagar-nalgonda-mancherial-kothagudem-election-results/4140674/
The Times of India: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/telangana-municipal-elections-results-2026-vote-counting-exit-polls-municipalities-congress-bjp-brs-latest-news-february-13/liveblog/128283206.cms
Siasat: https://www.siasat.com/telangana-civic-poll-win-shows-public-trust-in-congress-kharge-3348922/
National Herald India: https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/politics/congress-scores-emphatic-win-in-telangana-municipal-elections
The Times of India (Meeting): https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/revanth-meets-kharge-exudes-confidence-of-cong-win-in-civic-polls/articleshow/128222804.cms
India TV News (Nalgonda): https://www.indiatvnews.com/telangana/hyderabad-nalgonda-municipal-election-results-2026-live-h-chandur-chityal-devarakonda-haliya-miryalguda-and-nandikonda-news-updates-in-telangana-2026-02-13-1030031
Devdiscourse: https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/3804789-congress-triumphs-in-telangana-municipal-elections
India TV News (Kamareddy): https://www.indiatvnews.com/amp/telangana/hyderabad-kamareddy-municipal-election-results-2026-live-banswada-bichkunda-kamareddy-and-yellareddy-news-updates-in-telangana-aimim-brs-bjp-congress-2026-02-13-1029873
India TV News (Overall Results): https://www.indiatvnews.com/telangana/news-municipalities-election-result-2026-telangana-live-updates-telangana-local-body-polls-telangana-local-body-election-brs-ysrcp-bjp-congress-2026-02-13-1029940
India TV News (Counting Begins): https://www.indiatvnews.com/telangana/news-telangana-municipal-elections-2026-counting-of-votes-for-116-municipalities-and-7-corporations-on-february-13-latest-updates-2026-02-12-1030033
NDTV: https://www.ndtv.com/telangana-news/tgana-municipal-polls-counting-of-votes-begins-10997036
Hindustan Times: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cong-sweeps-civic-polls-in-telangana-brs-finishes-2nd-bjp-gets-261-wards-101771009647953.html
The Hindu: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/telangana-municipal-polls-counting-live-updates-friday-february-13-2026/article70626920.ece
The Indian Express: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/telangana-municipal-election-results-2026-live-updates-municipal-corporations-municipalities-election-result-counting-10528940/
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