Chairman Elections Postponed in 11 Telangana Municipalities
Chairman and vice chairman elections in 11 Telangana municipalities were postponed following high drama security concerns and disputes between rival parties leaving civic bodies in suspense for another day
- Congress and BRS councillors clashed over chairman elections in several municipalities
- Police imposed restrictions and heavy security in sensitive areas like Jangaon
- Election officials postponed polls citing law and order concerns
The process of electing municipal chairmen and vice chairmen in Telangana is yet to reach completion as elections were postponed in 11 municipalities due to political tension and administrative concerns. Officials confirmed that polls were deferred in Illandu Sultanabad Ibrahimpatnam Kagaznagar Kyathanapalli Khanapur Zaheerabad Indresham Dornakal Jangaon and Torrur.
In Jangaon the situation turned tense from early morning as police enforced prohibitory orders around the municipal office and deployed large security forces. The atmosphere became charged when MLA Palla Rajeswar Reddy arrived along with councillors supporting him. Police stopped the bus carrying the group citing a complaint related to the alleged kidnapping of an elected councillor and informed that an FIR had been registered in the matter.
Following heated arguments the police later allowed BRS councillors to enter the municipal premises. Congress backed councillors along with MP Chamal Kiran Kumar Reddy also reached the office. After the oath taking ceremony both sides proposed their candidates for the chairman post.
Congress leaders objected to proceeding with the election alleging intimidation and inducements involving elected councillors. They demanded that the process be deferred until an inquiry into the complaint was completed. As Congress councillors staged a sit in near the podium and refused to relent the municipal commissioner announced that the chairman election would be postponed to the next day.
Officials stated that similar issues including lack of consensus security inputs and administrative hurdles led to the postponement of elections in the remaining municipalities. Fresh dates are expected to be announced once the situation stabilises.
