New Delhi (PTI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has hailed the party's victory in the municipal elections in Telangana, saying the mandate reflects the trust of the people.

In a boost to the A Revanth Reddy-led government, the Congress in Telangana on Friday scored an emphatic win in the municipal elections, while the BRS and the BJP too made their presence felt.

Of the total 2,582 wards in 116 municipalities where elections were held on February 11, the Congress bagged more than 1,300 wards, followed by the BRS (about 700 wards) and the BJP (about 275 wards).

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In a post on X, Kharge said, "My gratitude to the committed grassroots workers of @INCTelangana for their commendable victory in the Telangana local body elections. This mandate reflects the trust of the people."

The Congress government remains resolute to our solemn affirmation of a "Prajala Telangana" - a state where social justice, economic empowerment and continuous progress are assured for all its 3.8 crore people, the Congress chief said.

In the seven municipal corporations that went to the polls, the Congress won three and was ahead in one, while the BJP secured a majority of seats in Karimnagar and Nizamabad. The Congress and the CPI were engaged in a keen contest in the Kothagudem municipal corporation.

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Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.

The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.

The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.

“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.

“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.

Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.

Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.

Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.

“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.