Hyderabad, Feb. 13 -- The newly reorganised Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) will likely help the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) in increasing its hold and number of wards in the next election. The AIMIM had earlier opposed the GHMC's expansion after the Telangana government increased its wards from 150 to 300 as the civic body's area was increased from 625 square kilometres to 2,053 sq km.

Had the GHMC remained as it is, the expansion of its wards to 300 would have put the AIMIM at a disadvantage in its main stronghold in the Old City and surrounding areas. The Asaduddin Owaisi-led party had won 44 seats in the last two GHMC elections that were held in 2015 and 2020. However, the Telangana government on Feb...