The ruling TRS looked all set to retain control of the city civic body, winning 41 of the 150 seats so far, while BJP's high-profile campaign appeared to have paid off, with the party winning 22.
The Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM continued its dominance in its traditional stronghold of the old city of Hyderabad, winning 34, as per the latest trends following the counting of votes, polled on December 1. The Congress was a distant third, winning just two seats.
The TRS was leading in at least 15 other wards, while the BJP was ahead in about 25 seats. The BJP's performance, if the present trend holds, leading to the saffron party possibly netting a significant number of seats, will be seen as a massive improvement against its 2016 show of winning just four seats, in alliance with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) then.
The K Chandrasekhar Rao-led Telangana Rashtra Samiti swept the elections four years ago, winning 99 of the 150 wards. The BJP's impressive show is a huge morale booster for the saffron party as it comes soon after its victory in last month's bypoll to the Dubbak Assembly constituency.
The BJP's performance, if the present trend holds, leading to the saffron party possibly netting a significant number of seats, will be seen as a massive improvement against its 2016 show of winning just four seats, in alliance with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) then.
Ballot papers were used in the election to the 150-ward GHMC polls on Tuesday.
Counting of votes began at 8 AM with postal ballots being counted first and BJP was ahead of its rivals in the postal ballot votes in about 80 wards.
The results are expected to be known in the evening in view of ballot papers being used as against the EVMs.
The polling percentage was an unimpressive 46.55 per cent. Out of the 74.67 lakh voters, 34.50 lakh electors exercised their franchise.
While the ruling TRS fielded candidates in all the 150 wards, BJP set up nominees in 149 of them. The Congress, AIMIM and TDP fielded candidates in 146, 51 and 106 wards respectively.
The BJP seemed to invest much stake in the polls, evident by the likes of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party chief JP Nadda among others hitting the campaign trail for the party.
TRS banked on the charisma and performance of KCR, as chief minister Rao is known.
