Telangana Assembly Election 2023: After a dynamic campaign featuring prominent national leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi, and BRS leader K Chandrasekar Rao, Telangana, the youngest Indian state, is poised for polling on Thursday to select 119 members for the State Legislative Assembly. Voters will cast their ballots in 35,655 polling stations across the state, with 3.26 crore eligible voters. Polling will occur from 7 AM to 5 PM in 106 constituencies and from 7 AM to 4 PM in 13 Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas, news agency PTI reported citing official sources on Wednesday.


A total of 2,290 contestants, including Chief Minister KCR, his son K T Rama Rao, state Congress president A Revanth Reddy, and BJP Lok Sabha members Bandi Sanjay Kumar and D Arvind, are in the electoral fray.


READ | Telangana Polls: BRS Hopes For 3rd Term Amid Challenge From Resurgent Congress. A SWOT Analysis


A Look At Political Outlook Of Telangana: 


Telangana, with its 33 diverse districts, forms the backdrop for the electoral theatre where 119 Assembly seats are at stake. Among these, 19 seats are reserved for SC candidates, while 12 are earmarked for ST candidates.


Bound by four states, the state's political dynamics are influenced by its varied geographical connections. Across the state, a network of 35,655 polling centers has been established, signifying the extensive reach of the democratic process, according to the Election Commission. 


As per EC, the state boasts a substantial electorate, with a total of 3.26 crore eligible voters. Among them, 1,62,98,418 are male voters, while 1,63,01,705 are female voters.


The Election Commission implemented the model code of conduct in the state after announcing the schedule on October 9. BRS is contesting in all 119 seats, while BJP and Jana Sena are contesting in 111 and 8 seats respectively. Congress, along with its ally CPI, is contesting in 118 seats.


READ | Telangana Polls: Dominated By BRS, Will The State See A New Party At Helm?


BRS Eyes Success Rerun As Congress Tries To Bounce Back Amid BJP's Debut Ambitions: 


In a bid to continue its winning streak since 2014, BRS faces competition from an assertive Congress, which is striving to overcome its 2018 defeat. The BJP, aiming for its first victory in the southern state, is vigorously campaigning.


CM KCR is contesting from two segments, Gajwel and Kamareddy. Congress' Revanth Reddy is challenging the chief minister in Kamareddy, while BJP's Eatala Rajender is contesting against KCR in Gajwel.


PM Modi, as part of his campaign, addressed rallies and participated in a roadshow, emphasising the BJP's promises and the need for a "double engine government". BJP leaders like Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and Yogi Adityanath also campaigned in the state.


The BRS campaign focused on ongoing welfare measures and the failures of the previous Congress regime. Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra led the grand old party's campaign, highlighting alleged corruption in the BRS government and six poll guarantees. BSP supremo Mayawati and other leaders also participated in the campaign. The sinking of a barrage in the Kaleshwaram irrigation project provided ammunition to the opposition.


Congress stalwart and former Lok Sabha MP, Mohammad Azharuddin, has also stepped onto the political pitch once again, positioning himself as the party's contender for the Jubilee Hills seat.


Meanwhile, AIMIM chief and Hyderabad parliamentarian Asaduddin Owaisi had previously expressed confidence that because his party has always been present among the people throughout the year, the public would take this into account and help the party win.


It is to be noted that the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has the most clout in Hyderabad, as evidenced by the Charminar Assembly constituency, which the Asaduddin Owaisi-led party has never lost in the last six decades.


The AIMIM has held Charminar and other seats in Hyderabad's "Old City" since the 1967 Assembly elections, first by supporting Independent candidates from there and then by replacing them with its own nominees.


Over 2.5 lakh staff will be engaged in poll duties, and counting of votes is scheduled for December 3. Home voting for persons with disabilities and those above 80 years was provided for the first time in Telangana. Law enforcement agencies seized assets worth about Rs 737 crore since the implementation of the model code of conduct, according to a report by news agency PTI.


The Election Commission directed private establishments, including IT firms, to declare a holiday on November 30 to facilitate employees' exercise of their franchise. Click here to read more. 


In the 2018 elections, Telangana witnessed a total of 119 seats, with the BRS securing a dominant 88 seats, followed by Congress with 19. AIMIM claimed 7 seats, TDP and BJP secured 2 and 1 seat(s) respectively, while AIFB and an independent candidate each secured 1 seat.