Published Feb 11, 2026 | 5:54 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 11, 2026 | 5:56 PM
Polling took place in 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations on 11 February. Votes will be counted on 13 February.
Synopsis: The ruling Congress is set to win nearly 70 percent of the 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations that went to the polls in Telangana on 11 February, according to the People’s Pulse exit poll. The survey says the BRS is unlikely to win any municipal corporation, while the BJP may emerge as the largest party in Karimnagar and Nizamabad municipal corporations.
The ruling Congress is poised to capture nearly 70 percent of the 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations that went to the polls in Telangana on 11 February, according to People’s Pulse exit poll surveys.
Polling took place in 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations on 11 February. Votes will be counted on 13 February.
The survey indicates strong performance by the party in the municipal corporations of Mancherial, Ramagundam, Nalgonda, Mahabubnagar and Kothagudem.
People’s Pulse exit poll
The opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), however, is unlikely to win a single municipal corporation, according to People’s Pulse.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to emerge as the largest party in the Karimnagar and Nizamabad municipal corporations, according to the survey.
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) is projected to play “kingmaker” in the Nizamabad, Karimnagar and Mahabubnagar municipal corporations.
Across the 116 municipalities, Congress is set to capture 68–76. The BRS may win 29–36, the BJP 3–5 and the AIMIM 0–1.
In 8–14 municipalities, the contest is neck and neck, according to the survey.
People’s Pulse exit poll
Across the 116 municipalities, Congress is expected to secure 36 percent of the vote, the BRS 29.7 percent, the BJP 19.3 percent and the AIMIM 2 percent.
Projected ward wins across the State are: Congress 1,210–1,290; BRS 860–930; BJP 250–270; AIMIM 35–44; CPI 12–17; CPM 10–14; and Others 90–110.
In Ramagundam municipal corporation, Congress is likely to win 30–34 wards, the BRS 16–20, the BJP 3–6 and Others 4–7.
In Mancherial, Congress is projected to secure 39–43 wards, the BRS 8–12, the BJP 6–9 and Others 1–2.
People’s Pulse exit poll
In Kothagudem, Congress may win 28–34 wards, the BRS 7–9, the CPI 14–16 and Others 2–4.
In Mahabubnagar, Congress is likely to secure 26–30 wards, the BRS 18–22, the BJP 6–8, the AIMIM 2–4 and Others 0–1.
In Nalgonda, Congress is projected to win 21–26 wards, the BRS 8–12, the BJP 6–10, the AIMIM 2–4 and Others 1–2.
In Nizamabad, Congress may win 10–16 wards, the BRS 2–4, the BJP 26–31, the AIMIM 8–12 and Others 1–2.
In Karimnagar, Congress is likely to secure 14–16 wards, the BRS 10–12, the BJP 24–29, the AIMIM 6–9 and Others 1–3.
People’s Pulse exit poll
The urban local body elections saw high-voltage campaigning and micro-level voter outreach. The Congress mounted aggressive poll management efforts, and allegations of inducements surfaced during the campaign.
Pressure ran high within the Congress ahead of the polls. Ministers, MLAs and MLCs were told there was no room for complacency.
A poor show in the urban polls, coming soon after the party’s mixed performance and the visible “green shoots” shown by the BRS in the recent panchayat elections, could cost ministers their berths and weaken legislators’ clout within the party organisation.
After a week of marathon public meetings, roadshows and whistle-stop gatherings, the Congress leadership shifted decisively to doorstep politics.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
