The ruling BRS party is facing challenges in the upcoming elections in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) constituencies. Issues such as party leaders leaving, internal conflicts, and anti-incumbency are making it difficult for the party to replicate its success in the 2018 Assembly elections.
There are 24 constituencies under GHMC, and the BRS has representation in most of these segments. The party has representation in six segments in the Secunderabad Lok Sabha seat, all seven in Malkajgiri LS, and four in the Chevella LS under the GHMC limits.
In the 2014 elections, the BRS only had two seats in Secunderabad and Malkajgiri. However, after the 2018 Assembly polls, there has been a significant change. The party faced setbacks during the municipal elections, winning only 56 seats and requiring MIM support to claim the corporation. Later, four BJP corporators joined the party.
Recently, senior leader Mynampally Hanumanth Rao from Malkajgiri left the party and joined the Congress. It will be interesting to see how the ruling party handles this loss. In Uppal constituency, the party changed its candidate from B Subhash Reddy to B Lakshma Reddy. Similarly, in Khairatabad, party corporator P Vijaya Reddy resigned and joined Congress; she is likely to receive the ticket. The party leaders believe that the departure of these leaders will have some impact.
Another concern for the party is overcoming anti-incumbency. Some party candidates have won for the second time in many constituencies but are facing anti-incumbency due to various factors. Additionally, infighting among leaders is detrimental to the party’s prospects.
There is resentment among aspirants over the announced candidates. Conflicts between MLAs and senior leaders are also concerning in constituencies like Amberpet, Maheshwaram, LB Nagar, Jubilee Hills, Patancheru, among others.
Observers note that many leaders won in 2018 due to a party wave and no significant opposition. However, this time the Congress is gaining strength, and the BJP, with its corporators, is also becoming a force to reckon with, according to a political analyst.
