The BJP took an early lead in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections on Friday, leading in 85 of the 150 seats, in initial trends, according to reports. The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) was up in 29 seats, while Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) led in 17, and the Congress in two. The results, which will be announced by tonight, will decide the fate of as many as 1,122 candidates in 150 divisions of the civic body. This year, the mayor’s post is reserved for a woman.

Counting of votes cast in all 150 divisions began at 8 am at 30 places in the city with Telangana State Election Commission deploying over 8,000 personnel. The authorities have arranged 150 counting halls with 14 tables in each hall. State Election Commissioner C Parthasarthy said a counting supervisor and two assistants are deployed at each table.

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi, which swept the 2016 polls it contested in alliance with AIMIM, holds 99 out of 150 seats. The AIMIM has 44, Congress 2 and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) 1. The challenge from the BJP forced the TRS to delink itself from the AIMIM this time around. The ruling party is also facing a lot of criticism for its handling of the situation after heavy rains on October 13-14 flooded large parts of the areas under GHMC.

Amit Shah is confident about BJP's victory in Hyderabad polls

Hyderabad Municipal election vote counting continues

Results of Hyderabad Municipal Corporation election to declare tomorrow