BJP-backed candidates have secured two out of three MLC seats in Telangana, delivering a major setback to the ruling Congress. The elections, held on February 27, saw Ch Anji Reddy, supported by the BJP, defeat Congress candidate Narender Reddy by over 5,000 votes in the Medak-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Karimnagar Graduates’ constituency. The result was announced early Thursday morning.
Elections were conducted using a preferential ballot system for the Medak-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Karimnagar Graduates’ and Teachers’ constituencies, along with the Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Teachers’ constituency. Counting, which began on Monday, was a lengthy process due to vote segregation and preference-based tabulation.
Malka Komaraiah, another BJP-supported candidate, won the Medak-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Karimnagar Teachers’ constituency, while independent candidate Sripal Reddy Pingili, backed by a teachers’ union, claimed victory in the Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Teachers’ constituency. Results for the two Teachers’ constituencies were declared late Monday.
The BJP’s triumph in two MLC seats serves as a significant morale boost for the party in Telangana. While BJP fielded candidates for all three seats, Congress only contested the Graduates’ constituency, and the BRS refrained from participating. The saffron party deployed top leaders, including Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar, for an aggressive campaign, while Congress saw Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and state party president B Mahesh Kumar Goud canvassing for their candidate.
Reacting to the victory, Union Coal Minister and Telangana BJP chief G Kishan Reddy declared it a triumph for the state’s youth and teachers, claiming they rejected Congress due to its governance failures. “Despite deploying its ministers, MLAs, MPs, and heavy spending, Congress lost the Karimnagar Graduate seat. This result is a clear message to Congress, which came to power by making false promises,” Reddy posted on X.
With the elections covering 13 districts, 43 Assembly constituencies, six parliamentary constituencies, and 270 mandals, BJP leaders assert that the win signals the party’s growing strength in Telangana. Reddy credited the victory to the “developmental politics of BJP” and the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar took a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who has previously raised concerns about electronic voting machines (EVMs). “This election used ballot papers, so what excuse does Rahul Gandhi have now?” he remarked late Wednesday night. He also alleged that the result was a lesson for Congress for favoring a particular section of society.
Adding to the controversy, a statement from his office described the BJP’s victory as a “Ramzan gift” given by Hindu society to Congress—an assertion that is likely to spark political outrage. The results mark a turning point in Telangana’s political landscape as BJP eyes a stronger foothold in the state.
