The leadership of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), popularly known as the Pink Party, is increasingly worried that internal group rivalries could adversely affect its prospects in the upcoming municipal elections. Political analysts note that dominance battles among leaders in several constituencies may significantly influence candidate selection. Although the Congress performed strongly in the recent gram panchayat elections, the BRS is keen on mounting a tough challenge in the municipal polls, even as lack of coordination and factionalism emerge as key concerns.
Several Assembly constituencies across Telangana are witnessing intense internal power struggles within the BRS. Areas such as Mahabubabad, Bhupalpally, Shadnagar, Sirpur Kagaznagar, Alair and Nagarjunasagar are marked by factional rivalries among party leaders. In municipalities and corporations within these constituencies, competing groups are expected to push hard for ticket allocations in favour of their respective supporters, raising fears of internal discord spilling into the electoral arena.
The party’s decision to grant authority over municipal ticket allocation to leaders who lost the last Assembly elections and to constituency in-charges has triggered mixed reactions. Reports suggest that some senior leaders have expressed dissatisfaction with this move, apprehending that factional considerations may outweigh winnability. The BRS leadership has, however, stressed that only candidates with strong chances of victory should be fielded, warning that nominating weak candidates would benefit political rivals. In-charges have reportedly been told to flag cases where strong contenders are overlooked.
Factional tensions are particularly evident in constituencies like Mahabubabad and Bhupalpally. In Mahabubabad, party circles speak of an unresolved rift involving former MLA Shankar Naik, former MP Kavitha and former minister Satyavati Rathod, with the differences likely to impact ticket distribution. In Bhupalpally, a power struggle between former Speaker Madhusudhana Chary and former MLA Gandra Venkata Ramana Reddy has created unease, with rival camps anxious about their prospects in the municipal elections.
Similar divisions persist in Sirpur Kagaznagar, Shadnagar, Nagarjunasagar, Warangal East, Alair and Munugode, where rival factions led by senior leaders are vying for greater influence in ticket allocation. With each group pressing for nominations for its supporters, the BRS leadership is expected to take precautionary measures to prevent internal rifts from undermining the party’s performance in the municipal polls.