TRS and MIM may have to continue ‘friendly race’ for mayor


Hyderabad: The Telangana Rashtra Samiti and the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen may have to continue what the Bharatiya Janata Party describes as a “friendly contest” in the election of mayor and deputy mayor.

Although none of the three main political forces, TRS, MIM, and BJP, is in a position to win mayor on its own, the ruling party can retain office and run the show without a majority.

At the time of the mayoral election, both TRS and MIM are likely to run their respective candidates to thwart the BJP’s campaign that the two parties are partners.

Fearing the polarization of the Hindu vote in favor of the BJP, the TRS sought to project the otherwise friendly MIM as its main rival during the high-pitched campaign for the polls. However, due to its poor performance, the results of which were announced on Friday, the ruling party is in a dangerous situation.

Ironically, the ex officio members, who otherwise provide great strength to the ruling parties, do not help TRS. The strength of the electoral college is 195 thanks to the incorporation of 45 ex officio members. This puts the magic number to win the mayor at 98, a number that TRS cannot reach even with the help of its ex officio members.

Based on the declared results for 149 out of 150 districts, the TRS won 55, the BJP 48, the MIM 44, and Congress two. TRS’s strength will be 86 (or 87 if its Neredmet candidate is also declared elected) including its 31 ex officio members and the party will still be short on the magic bullet.

“It is a high risk if we accept MIM’s support directly or indirectly by asking it to abstain from voting,” said a senior TRS leader. The best solution in this scenario is for both parties to present their respective candidates and obviously we will win because the BJP cannot support the MIM, he added.