BRS hopeful of gains in hung municipalities

Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao on Saturday said that despite the party securing more than 750 municipal wards and divisions and winning 17 municipalities, he had expected to win around 30 municipalities. However, he expressed hope that the party would secure more municipalities in places where there was a hung verdict.Addressing the media at Telangana Bhavan on Saturday, KTR said that when the Congress was in opposition and the BRS was in power, the Congress had won only four municipalities. He questioned how many divisions the Congress had won in GHMC when Revanth Reddy was the Malkajgiri MP. In the previous GHMC elections, the Congress secured only two divisions, he added.Referring to the BJP's claims about its performance, the BRS leader stated that the party received fewer votes and won fewer wards compared to the previous elections. "Despite bringing their party's national president for campaigning and creating a buzz, the results are evident to everyone. The BJP could not win a single municipality and secured some divisions in only Karimnagar and Nizamabad municipal corporations," KTR said.He stated that the presence of senior leaders does not make a significant difference in local body elections. Local issues and incumbency generally play a greater role. He alleged that the influence of money increased significantly in these elections and that Congress spent lavishly."Our party made a satisfactory effort in the elections. Whether in panchayat or municipal elections, we fought hard. These elections are a response to those who spoke recklessly after the last parliamentary elections," he said. On Forumla E case, KTR said, "despite being called four times already, nothing had been established. Repeated summons are merely for show. No matter how many times we are called or investigated, we have no problem. Even if we are jailed, we are not afraid." KTR further alleged that police and ACB officials had informed the chief minister multiple times that there was no substance to the case.