Telangana Municipal Polls: Harish Rao Claims Congress and BJP Made Secret Deal to Block BRS

BRS leader Harish Rao claims Congress and BJP made a secret deal after Telangana municipal elections. He says this happened in 3 towns to stop BRS from winning.
By Newsroom | Politics, Telangana |

Recent municipal election results in Telangana have prompted a sharp reaction from T Harish Rao, a prominent leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). While the ruling Congress party has celebrated its wins, Harish Rao has accused the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of forming an "unholy" post-poll alliance to block the BRS from gaining power in several municipalities. These accusations highlight a period of political tension as parties dissect the outcomes and attribute reasons for the BRS's performance.

Harish Rao rattled by Telangana Municipal poll results: Congress MP Chamala - 1

Political Landscape Shifts Following Municipal Election Results

The Telangana municipal elections have concluded, with the Congress party emerging as a significant victor. This outcome represents a shift from the previous political landscape where the BRS held considerable sway. The results have triggered a debate among the political parties regarding the reasons for these shifts, with accusations and counter-accusations being leveled.

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Harish Rao rattled by Telangana Municipal poll results: Congress MP Chamala - 2

Harish Rao's Accusations of Post-Poll Collusion

BRS leader T Harish Rao has been vocal in his criticism of the election results and the actions of rival parties. He claims that the Congress and BJP have colluded in several municipalities to prevent the BRS from forming local governments.

Harish Rao rattled by Telangana Municipal poll results: Congress MP Chamala - 3

  • Allegations of Collusion: Harish Rao specifically pointed to municipalities like Narsapur, Sirpur-Kagaznagar, and Metpally, where he alleges that the Congress and BJP shared chairperson and vice-chairperson posts. He suggests that this was done to deny the BRS, which he claims had won a majority of wards in some areas, control of these local bodies.

  • "Unholy Alliance": He has characterized these arrangements as an "unholy" or "immoral" post-poll alliance, driven by a singular motive to keep the BRS out of power, despite differing political ideologies at a national level.

  • "Power Pact": Harish Rao further stated that these municipal chief elections have exposed a "power pact" between the Congress and the BJP in Telangana. He cited instances where Congress allegedly supported BJP candidates or vice-versa to secure positions, even when the BRS had secured more wards.

Congress and Allies Counter Accusations

Leaders from the Congress party have responded to Harish Rao's claims, dismissing them and highlighting their electoral success.

Harish Rao rattled by Telangana Municipal poll results: Congress MP Chamala - 4

  • Rejection of BRS: Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy asserted that the BRS has been rejected by the people, citing their poor performance in successive elections, including Lok Sabha, Corporation, and municipal polls. He stated that the people are no longer paying attention to what he termed as "petty statements" from BRS leaders.

  • Governance Comparison: Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy also rejected allegations of "farmhouse governance" by the BRS, contrasting it with what he described as the Congress's functional approach with a Cabinet, led from New Delhi.

  • "Clean Zero" Performance: The Congress MP accused the BRS of achieving a "clean zero" in recent elections, implying a complete lack of success.

BRS Claims of Misuse of Power and Money

Beyond the allegations of post-poll alliances, the BRS has also raised concerns about the conduct of the elections themselves.

  • Money and Police Misuse: Following the Congress's decisive victory, the BRS alleged the misuse of money and government machinery by the ruling Congress party during the polls. This suggests a broader grievance beyond just the post-election maneuvering for municipal leadership.

  • Deteriorating Law and Order: Harish Rao also claimed that Congress activists attacked BRS leaders and workers at several places, which he used as an example to suggest a deterioration in the state's law and order situation under the current government.

Election Outcomes and Mandates

The municipal election results indicate a significant win for the Congress.

  • Congress Lead: Reports confirm that the Congress party has taken a clear lead in the municipal elections. In some instances, like the postal ballot counting for Chandur municipality, the Congress secured a majority of votes.

  • BRS Performance: While the BRS experienced a setback, it still managed to secure a considerable number of wards, with reports indicating around 700 wards won by the party. The BJP secured approximately 275 wards.

  • "No Clear Mandate" Areas: In municipalities where a clear mandate was not obtained by any single party, the BRS working president appointed in-charges, indicating the party's ongoing efforts to consolidate its position.

Expert Analysis and Public Sentiment

The election outcomes and the ensuing political discourse suggest a dynamic shift in Telangana's political terrain.

  • Self-Rule and Identity Claims Questioned: Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy viewed Harish Rao's rhetoric on "self-rule, identity, self-respect and dignity" as hollow given the BRS's decade-long rule. This implies a public sentiment potentially tired of the BRS's long tenure and seeking new governance.

  • Focus on Unfulfilled Guarantees: Harish Rao has also criticized the Congress government for failing to deliver on its promises, such as the "Rythu Bharosa" funds for farmers and the six guarantees promised within 100 days of coming to power. He highlighted that even after a significant period, these promises remain unfulfilled, suggesting a potential public dissatisfaction with the current administration's delivery.

Conclusion and Future Implications

The Telangana municipal election results have revealed a significant victory for the Congress party, marking a potential turning point in the state's political narrative. The BRS, facing a setback, has responded with accusations of post-poll collusion between the Congress and BJP, and allegations of electoral malpractice.

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  • Evidence of Collusion: Specific examples from municipalities like Narsapur and Metpally, where Congress and BJP allegedly shared positions, provide tangible evidence supporting Harish Rao's claims of an alliance aimed at excluding the BRS.

  • Electoral Performance: The overall results show the Congress leading, with the BRS and BJP trailing. However, the BRS still holds a significant number of seats, indicating it remains a key political force.

  • Public Mandate: The accusations from both sides suggest a complex interplay of electoral outcomes and subsequent political maneuvering. The BRS's claims of unfulfilled guarantees and misused government machinery raise questions about public perception and the Congress's governance effectiveness.

  • Next Steps: The BRS is likely to continue its critique of the Congress government, focusing on unfulfilled promises and alleged undemocratic practices. The Congress, on the other hand, will seek to consolidate its victory and build on the momentum gained in these municipal elections. The alleged alliances between Congress and BJP in certain municipalities warrant further scrutiny as they could indicate evolving political dynamics in the state.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did BRS leader Harish Rao say about the Telangana municipal election results?
Harish Rao said that the Congress and BJP made a secret deal after the municipal elections. He called it an 'unholy alliance' to stop the BRS from winning in some towns.
Q: Which towns did Harish Rao mention in his accusations?
Harish Rao specifically named Narsapur, Sirpur-Kagaznagar, and Metpally. He said that Congress and BJP shared top positions in these places to keep the BRS out.
Q: What did the Congress party say about Harish Rao's claims?
Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy said that people have rejected the BRS. He called Harish Rao's statements 'petty' and said the BRS has not been successful in recent elections.
Q: Besides the alleged alliance, what else did the BRS complain about?
The BRS also claimed that the Congress party used money and government power unfairly during the elections. Harish Rao also said that Congress workers attacked BRS leaders and workers, showing a bad law and order situation.
Q: What were the main results of the municipal elections?
The Congress party won most of the seats and took a clear lead. The BRS won about 700 wards, and the BJP won around 275 wards. Some municipalities did not give a clear winner to any single party.