Hyderabad, February 4, 2026 — With the deadline for nomination withdrawals closing yesterday, the stage is set for the Telangana Municipal Elections. While the main battle is scheduled for February 11, the first results are already in: 14 wards across the state have been declared unopposed, signaling an early advantage for the ruling Congress party.
In a significant show of organizational strength, the Congress party has secured 12 of these 14 wards, while the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) managed to claim 2 seats without a contest.
Key Election Statistics at a Glance
The scale of these urban local body (ULB) elections is massive, covering nearly the entire state. Here is the breakdown of the numbers following the withdrawal deadline:
| Category | Details |
| Total Wards | 2,996 |
| Local Bodies | 7 Municipal Corporations & 116 Municipalities |
| Total Eligible Voters | 52.43 Lakh |
| Total Candidates Remaining | 12,993 |
| Nominations Withdrawn | 6,701 |
| Unopposed Victories | 14 (Congress: 12, BRS: 2) |
Strategic Withdrawals and “Ticket Wars”
The unopposed results, though representing less than 1% of the total seats, have sparked intense political debate. Analysts suggest the mass withdrawal of 6,701 candidates was driven by a mix of strategic planning and internal friction.
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Congress Dominance: Building on its momentum from the recent gram panchayat elections—where it captured over 50% of sarpanch positions—the Congress is aiming for a near-sweep. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has reportedly set an ambitious target of 90% of all wards.
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Internal Disputes: The ruling party has faced some “ticket rows,” where multiple aspirants vied for the same ward. Strategic withdrawals were often used to pacify rebels and consolidate the vote.
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Opposition Challenges: For the BRS, securing only two unopposed seats highlights the uphill task they face in reclaiming their urban stronghold following the 2023 assembly election defeat.
The Road to February 13
The Telangana State Election Commission (TSEC) has now finalized the symbols for the nearly 13,000 candidates left in the fray. Campaigning is expected to reach a fever pitch this week, focusing on hyper-local issues like urban infrastructure, waste management, and water supply.
“These early victories are a testament to the people’s trust in our governance,” a Congress spokesperson stated. Meanwhile, the BRS and BJP have alleged that pressure tactics were used in some areas to force withdrawals, though no official complaints have been verified by the TSEC.
What’s Next?
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Polling Day: February 11, 2026
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Counting & Results: February 13, 2026
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Mayoral Elections: February 16, 2026
With over 5 million voters ready to head to the booths, the upcoming polls will be the ultimate litmus test for the Revanth Reddy government’s popularity in urban Telangana.
Telangana Municipal Elections 2026 Schedule
This video provides the official schedule and key dates released by the State Election Commission for the 2026 municipal polls.
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