BJP top brass seeks report on ex-officio voting, internal dissent surfaces

Hyderabad: Facing uncomfortable questions after the municipal elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party central leadership has sought a detailed report from its Telangana unit, zeroing in on the controversial use of ex-officio votes by some MPs and MLAs that allegedly went against the party line.Sources indicate that the central leadership is displeased with several leaders who cast votes without explicit approval, triggering internal friction across the state unit. Such deviations are said to have surfaced in at least six municipalities. The state leadership convened a review meeting soon after the polls, where party functionaries openly accused some senior leaders of failing to safeguard the party's political interests during crucial contests. Murmurs of discontentIn the aftermath, several grassroots leaders were suspended for actions deemed contrary to party strategy, even as murmurs of discontent grew against a few MPs accused of not pushing hard enough to capture key corporations. In contrast, in some civic bodies, BJP representatives reportedly extended unconditional support to rival parties despite receiving no reciprocal backing, further fuelling questions about discipline and coordination. While the party had aimed to secure a presence in every municipality, results fell short of expectations in several areas, including places where victories appeared within reach. However, the BJP did register a milestone by winning the Karimnagar Municipal Corporation for the first time, albeit amid tense negotiations and last-minute shifts by independents.