With the campaigning for the prestigious elections to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation coming to a close on Sunday evening, political pundits have started making analysing the campaign trends and predicting the outcome of the polls.
While it is more or less certain that the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi has an upper hand over the other two main rivals – the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress, there is a general opinion that the Bharatiya Janata Party is likely to make significant gains in the elections.
A survey conducted by ABP-C Voter, however, has given considerable edge to the TRS. It predicted that the TRS is likely to win 92-94 seats in the 150-member GHMC, while the BJP will end up with 10-12 seats, which is better than its four seats last year.
The MIM will retain its hold over the old city by winning 38-42 seats and the Congress will not get more than 2-4 seats. Independents may get 2-3 seats.
It is not exactly known when this survey was done, but independent analysts say the BJP’s position has improved a lot after the visit of national leaders like J P Nadda, Yogi Adityanath and Amit Shah. They are predicting that the BJP might win not less than 25 seats.
However, there are also reports, quoting state intelligence sources, that the BJP may end up being the single largest party in the GHMC with around 60 seats, while the TRS will get around 40 seats. It means, there will be hung elected body in the GHMC.
If it is true, it will be a big setback for the TRS. Yet, it can retain the hot seat of Mayor in the GHMC with the support of the MIM and also co-opted members. In any case, the GHMC elections have thrown up a big challenge to the TRS!