BJP-Congress 'bhai bhai' in Telangana? 'Tactical alliance' raises eyebrows after Maharashtra controversy

In Maharashtra, the BJP and the Congress did not enter a formal, statewide pre-poll alliance for municipal elections.

• Congress, BJP, BRS, AIMIM cooperate in Telangana local polls
• BRS alleges Congress-BJP collusion to deny key posts
• BJP claims Congress and BRS joined with AIMIM to block BJP

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Telangana’s political landscape has thrown up an unexpected twist. In several local bodies across the state, traditional rivals — the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Indian National Congress, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) — have found themselves cooperating in select municipal and council contests.

This has also sparked comparisons with Maharashtra’s recent municipal maneuvers, where ideological opponents briefly aligned to prevent a third dominant party from consolidating power.

The Congress registered a clear lead in Telangana municipal polls. The main opposition, BRS, fared well and was in the second position.

BRS allegation

Deputy floor leader of BRS Legislature Party, T Harish Rao,  told The Hindu that the Congress and BJP have abandoned their ideologies in the thirst for power at local bodies’ level.

“While they fight in Delhi, they are shaking hands and sharing power locally. The results in Aliabad, Amangal, Metpally, Medak and Narsapur municipalities stand as clear evidence,” he said.

He claimed that even though the BRS emerged as the single largest party in several municipalities, the Congress and BJP conspired to deny the chairperson and vice-chairperson posts to the BRS.

Which seats witnessed cooperation?

According to Rao, even in municipalities where BRS had won the majority wards, Congress and BJP had “colluded to capture chairperson posts”.

According to him, in Narsapur, Congress took the chairperson post and handed over the vice-chairperson post to the BJP.

The same pattern was seen in Sirpur-Kagaznagar and Metpally, where Congress and BJP shared chairperson and vice-chairperson posts. He alleged that in Aliabad Congress secured the chairperson post with the support of BJP’s three councillors, in Metpally, the Congress extended support to ensure that the BJP captured power, whereas in Amangal an understanding between Congress and BJP decided the outcome.

In municipalities such as Kathanapally, Thorrur, Jangaon and Zaheerabad too BRS had secured majority wards, but in vain due to the Congress-BJP unholy nexus, according to him.

What does BJP say?

BJP state president N Ramchander Rao said the party had hoisted its flag high by securing the mayoral seat in the Karimnagar Municipal Corporation and by winning the Bhainsa and Narayanpet municipalities. He also stated that the party had emerged as a decisive factor in 25 municipalities.

According to The New Indian Express, he alleged that the Congress and BRS conspired to obstruct the BJP’s growth. Rao said wherever the BJP emerged strong, both parties joined hands with the AIMIM to prevent the BJP from securing mayor and chairperson posts. “What should this relationship among the three parties be called?” he questioned.

Why is there a comparison with Maharashtra?

In Maharashtra, the BJP and the Congress did not enter a formal, statewide pre-poll alliance for municipal elections. However, in some municipal corporations and councils over the years, there were reports of them tactically supporting each other post-results to secure key posts such as mayor, municipal council president or standing committee chairperson.

For instance, there were reports that the local units of Congress and BJP formed a post-poll alliance in Ambernath Municipal Council to keep the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena out of power.

However, BJP leader and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis later clarified that such tie-ups were not approved by the party leadership. Congress issued similar statements.

“I am making it very clear that any alliance with the Congress or the AIMIM will not be accepted. If any local leader has taken such a decision on their own, it is wrong in terms of discipline and action will be taken,” Fadnavis said.