Hyderabad: Telangana Jagruthi chief and former MLC Kavitha predicted that a majority of municipalities could see hung verdicts in the upcoming local body polls, citing voter frustration over weak and issue-less campaigning.
Speaking at a media conference at the Telangana Jagruthi headquarters in Banjara Hills, Kavitha said political parties focused more on personal allegations than on civic governance. She observed that abusive rhetoric reduced only in the final phase of campaigning. However, she said parties failed to clearly explain what they would deliver to urban voters.
According to Kavitha, the nature of campaigning made municipal elections resemble personality contests rather than issue-based polls. She remarked that local body elections might work better without party symbols, similar to sarpanch elections. She also criticised high-profile BJP campaign visits, noting that Mahabubnagar continued to face drinking water shortages and poor public transport.
Kavitha flags civic neglect in urban areas
Highlighting urban infrastructure gaps, Kavitha said government schools remained in poor condition despite having sufficient teachers. As a result, many parents opted for private schools. She also alleged that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who holds the municipal portfolio, had not reviewed basti dawakhanas.
She described drainage as the most serious civic issue across towns. Garbage piles, she said, had become common and were causing health problems among residents.
Kavitha also referred to the plight of retired employees. She recalled a protest in Karimnagar, where a pensioner displayed a banner over pending retirement benefits. She alleged that out of 116 municipalities and seven corporations, only one municipality received underground drainage funds, and that Siddipet benefited due to political influence.
Kavitha demands budget-backed promises
Referring to the Budget session beginning on February 26, Kavitha said it was the Congress government’s last real opportunity to honour election promises. She alleged that the government raised ₹7,000 crore through land sales but ignored long-term wealth creation. This, she claimed, pushed the revenue deficit close to ₹9,000 crore.
Kavitha demanded ₹20,000 crore annually for BC welfare as promised in the Kamareddy Declaration. She also sought ₹35,000 crore for enhanced pensions and ₹25,000 crore for eight lakh urban poor houses. She urged the government to earmark ₹12,000 annual assistance for auto drivers and matching funds for poets and artists.
Accusing the Chief Minister of making false claims on farm loan waivers, Kavitha challenged him to visit Mahabubnagar or Nizamabad. She said Telangana Jagruthi would bring farmers who were yet to receive loan waivers to the Secretariat if required.
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— Kavitha Kalvakuntla (@RaoKavitha) February 10, 2026