HYDERABAD (DGN News) – The political landscape of Telangana is witnessing a major shift as the counting for the 2026 Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections continues at a rapid pace. Early trends from the counting centers established across the state indicate a dominant performance by the Indian National Congress (INC), which is currently leading in a significant majority of the wards.
The Scale of Elections The electoral battle, which is being seen as a referendum on the current administration, was fought across 123 local bodies. This includes 7 powerful Municipal Corporations and 116 Municipalities, covering a total of 2,996 wards. Following the polling held on February 11, which saw a robust voter turnout of 73.01%, the counting process on February 13 has brought a wave of excitement for the ruling party supporters.
Performance and Trends As of the latest data, the Indian National Congress is maintaining a steady lead, moving towards a clear majority in most urban centers. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), which once held a strong grip over these local bodies, is currently struggling to keep pace and is positioned second. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) remains in the third position, showing gains in specific urban pockets but failing to challenge the Congress wave effectively.
Regional Highlights and Turnout One of the most notable highlights of this election cycle has been the variation in voter enthusiasm. Nalgonda emerged as the leader in civic participation with a record-breaking voter turnout of 77.36%. In contrast, Nizamabad recorded the lowest participation in the state, with only 59.12% of voters casting their ballots. These figures are being closely analyzed by political experts to understand the shifting voter sentiment in different districts.
The Road Ahead While the final tally for all 2,996 wards is expected by late evening, the State Election Commission is already preparing for the next phase of the democratic process. Once the final winners are officially notified, the newly elected corporators and ward members are scheduled to take their oath of office on February 16, 2026. This election result is expected to significantly impact the governance and developmental projects across Telangana’s urban landscape for the next five years.