Till recently, there were reports that Telangana Rashtra Samithi president and chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao might postpone the elections to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to January or February.
Reason: He was fearing that there could be anti-government feelings among the people, who are generally upset over the poor restoration works in the areas affected by recent heavy rains and floods. He thought of holding elections only after completing all the restoration works.
However, the TRS chief seems to have changed his mind after seeing the results in Dubbak assembly by-elections, in which the party suffered a defeat in the hands of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Now, it appears he wants to complete the elections to the GHMC before the anti-establishment sentiment spreads to the GHMC areas as well.
He doesn’t want to give any chance to the BJP to gain advantage of winning the Dubbak polls in the GHMC areas.
According to sources, KCR might take a decision at the cabinet meeting to be held in Hyderabad on Friday.
In all probability, the elections would be held on December 4 and a notification to this effect might be issued on Monday, soon after the Diwali festival.
It precisely for this reason, KCR called his alliance partner Asaduddin Owaisi, president of Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen for a meeting at Pragati Bhavan to finalise the seat sharing talks.
At the same time, the state election commission also has called for a meeting of all recognized parties to decide on the GHMC elections and finalization of voters’ list.