Still, there is three months’ time left for the election of GHMC mayor. This is for the first time in the 65-year history of GHMC (old MCH), the elections were held soon at the end of the term. No party received an absolute majority. Out of the 150 divisions, TRS won 56, BJP 48, MIM 44 and Congress 2. Though there are ex-officio votes, the magic figure needed is 98. As none of them have the required magic figure. There is a dilemma over the alliance of TRS and MIM. The TRS and MIM are unable to come to an understanding because of political equations. There is no question of an alliance of BJP and MIM as both are in principle against each other. With this, the TRS has three options and the BJP has one option.
With the term of the existing body of GHMC ending on February 10, it will be after this date the notification for the election of mayor would be issued. Apart from the corporators 44 ex-officio votes old would also be added. The TRS has 31 members, MIM has 10 and BJP has two where the Congress has one ex-officio member. Even if the MLC elections are held, it would add three more seats. If they are kept aside, the total figure would be 150+44 -194. With this, the magic figure for the election of mayor would be 98. However, it is said that the magic figure is not compulsory for the election of the mayor. The 1956 Act says that it is only for taking up General Body Meetings. As per this, the meeting can be taken up even if there are 98 members. If TRS, BJP, MIM and Congress contest the mayoral election, the parties would issue whip to select the party candidate, which means the TRS would have the highest votes. However, this would lead to criticism from the opposition who would allege that they were going against the traditions.
Coming to the second option, if the party has an alliance with MIM, it would have to face criticism in future. There are rumours that the party would include some of the corporators from BJP or MIM. If the BJP corporators are taken, the Saffron party would go berserk against the ruling party. Coming to the third option the party can ask the support of MIM members indirectly. Here the parties can issue whip so the TRS can use that facility to get the mayor post.
BJP has only one option and that is to have an alliance with MIM or it can include their corporators. It is said that the party may not do this until TRS is in power. If the mayor election is not considered, then the Corporation can enforce a special officer’s rule.
If there is a special officer rule, it would be for the first time in the history of GHMC. Elections were held between 1955 and 1974 elections. The first elections were held in 1986 and the next elections were held in 1991. Later, held in 2002 which meant there was special officer rule for about 11 years. There was also a special officer rule during the 2002 elections.
