The campaign for Telangana municipal elections has entered its final and most intense phase, with the Bharatiya Janata Party turning what is usually a local contest into a high-profile political battle. By deploying national leaders and chief ministers from other states, the BJP has clearly signaled that it views these elections as more than ward-level polls. The party is treating them as a test of its growing influence in the state.
Senior leaders, including Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, have been leading aggressive campaigns across urban pockets. State BJP president N. Ramchander Rao is coordinating ground-level efforts, while former state president Bandi Sanjay has focused on strengthening the party’s base in Karimnagar. The presence of national figures and neighbouring state leaders has added momentum and visibility, giving the campaign a clear national tone.
At the same time, the political spotlight has shifted to Pawan Kalyan and Jana Sena Party’s decisions in Telangana. Jana Sena has fielded candidates in 336 municipal wards across the state, including key districts such as Karimnagar, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Khammam, Warangal, and Rangareddy. Initially, Pawan Kalyan planned to campaign for his party candidates. However, after meetings with BJP leaders and discussions within the NDA framework, he announced full support for the BJP and later chose to stay away from active campaigning.
Political observers see this move as a calculated strategy. With both BJP and Jana Sena contesting in the same urban spaces, Pawan Kalyan’s decision to step back from campaigning is being interpreted as an effort to avoid mixed signals and internal competition within the alliance. Jana Sena candidates remain in the fray, contesting under the glass symbol, while party cadres and women wings have been urged to work for electoral success on the ground.
For the BJP, the goal is clear. These municipal elections are being used to position the party as a strong alternative to both the Congress and BRS ahead of future state-level battles. As polling day approaches, Telangana’s local elections have evolved into a politically charged contest with national implications.
