Chairman Races Intensifies Across Five Municipalities In Adilabad

In Bellampalli Municipality, Congress and BRS won 14 seats each in the 34-member body. The BJP won one seat and five Independents were elected. Two Independents, Shankar Singh (Ward 30) and Kumaraswamy (Wards 2 and 6), joined the BRS in the presence of BRS working president KT Rama Rao. Former MLA Durgam Chinnaiah is reportedly in touch with other Independents. There are also reports that a Congressional member threatened to switch sides if he was not elected to the presidency. These claims could not be independently verified.

In Asifabad Municipality, BRS won nine wards, Congress won seven and Independents won four. Both parties expect support from Independents. BRS leaders claimed that one of their chosen candidates was taken away by Congress leaders after the results were announced.

In Adilabad Municipality, BJP won 21 seats and Congress won 11 seats, while BRS and AIMIM won six seats each and five Independents were elected. The majority score is 25. BJP MLA Payal Shankar will vote ex officio. While BJP is seeking support from Independents, Congress is seeking support from BRS, AIMIM and Independents. DCC president Naresh Jadhav and Payal Shankar are holding talks with elected members.

In Kagaznagar Municipality, BRS secured 11 wards, Congress nine, BJP five, AIMIM one and Independents four. While both the Congress and the BRS are in the running for the chairmanship post, the balance is held by the BJP and the Independent members. Local body MLC Dande Vittal registered as ex-officio voter in Kagaznagar.

No party could secure a clear majority in the Khanapur Municipality. While Congress won three wards, BRS and BJP won four wards and one Independent was elected. MLA Vedma Bojju will vote ex officio.

While the parties are trying to obtain the necessary numbers for the presidential elections, negotiations are continuing in all municipalities.