Telangana Elections Highlights: 63.9% Voter Turnout Recorded Till 5 PM
Telangana Assembly Election 2023 Highlights: Stay connected to stay abreast of all the unfolding developments in the dynamic political landscape of the country's youngest state.
Earlier today, violent clashes erupted between workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in Asifabad.
BRS MLC K Kavitha expresses unwavering confidence in her party's success, declaring, "There's good news from everywhere. We are already celebrating. Unfortunately for them (BJP), there will be no celebration. Last time too they tried to create confusion, ultimately BRS won. This time too BRS will win."
According to the Election Commission's data, Telangana had a voter turnout of 63.9% as of 5 pm.
BJP candidate K Venkata Ramana Reddy, vying against the prominent figures of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee President (TPCC), boldly declares his confidence in securing a victory from the Kamareddy Assembly Constituency. Reddy, undeterred by the stature of his opponents, views them simply as TRS and Congress candidates, expressing determination not to be intimidated by their prominence.
“I am only looking at them (KCR and Revanth Reddy) as TRS and Congress candidates only. They are big people but I am not going to back off from fearing them,” Reddy told ANI.
In the ongoing Telangana elections, the latest data from the Election Commission indicates a commendable voter turnout of 51.89% as of 3 pm.
Telangana's prominent All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader, Akbaruddin Owaisi, participated in the electoral process by casting his vote at a polling station located in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.
The Bureau of Cyber Security (BRS) lodged a complaint with the Chief Election Commissioner, Telangana Chief Electoral Officer, and state Director General of Police on Wednesday, raising alarming concerns about the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC). The complaint alleges the TPCC's involvement in the creation and dissemination of "fake audio and video" content, utilizing 'deepfake' technology and artificial intelligence, as per information from reliable sources. In response, Kavitha took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, cautioning voters against falling prey to misinformation. Her post urged voters to stay vigilant, emphasizing the importance of verifying information in order to make informed choices that uphold the integrity of democracy.
Actor Mahesh Babu cast his vote at a polling booth in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad today.
Etela Rajender, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and challenging Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) in the Gajwel constituency, actively participated in the democratic process today by casting his vote in Kamalapur, Hanamkonda district.
Tripura Governor Indra Sen Reddy Nally casts his vote along with his wife Renuka at a polling booth in Hyderabad.
Actor Vijay Deverakonda has appealed to the people especially young voter to come out an vote as the state records a low voting percentage. "I heard that the polling percentage is a little low. I request all the young boys and girls who have their voting ID and election card to come and vote. Come with your families and vote, you should do it," says the actor.
The voter turnout stood at 36.68 per cent at 1 pm.
Congress leader Manickam Tagore says: "Telangana people are very clear today there is a wave in the favour of Congress and the Congress in my calculation will win 78 seats out of the 119 seats...KCR is going to lose from the second seat which he is fighting and it's going to be landslide victory of Congress..."
Telangana Bahujan Samaj Party president Praveen casts vote in Adilabad.
Telangana BJP chief and Union minister G Kishan Reddy has written a letter to the Election Commission of India alleging that candidates from Bharat Rashtra Samithi are involved in "electoral malpractices".
Telugu actors Manoj Manchu and Ram Pothineni cast their votes in Hyderabad and appealed people to vote. "It is our right and responsibility to vote. I request people to come out and vote as the voter turnout is already less," says Manchu.
"More than expectation, it's about hope. It's not only about what you want," says Pothineni
Cheif Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao casts his vote at his ancestral village in Chintamadaka, Siddipet of Medak district.
YSR Telangana Party president YS Sharmila casts her vote in Hyderabad.
Haryana governor Bandaru Dattatreya casts vote in Hyderabad, says he has always voted since 1983. "Voting is very important to further strengthen our democracy."
BRS workers stopped state Congress chief Revanth Reddy's brother, Kondal Reddy from visiting a polling booth saying he is neither a voter nor authorised to visit.
"...Kondal Reddy is roaming around with a fake pass and speaking with the Returning Officer. He is roaming around with 20 people," says a BRS worker.
"He went to three polling stations with them in three vehicles but the Police didn't tell them anything...They are indulging in hooliganism after coming here," he adds.
"We got the people accompanying him, arrested by Police. But the Police released them in 10 minutes...We will complain to the Election Commission," says the worker.
Actor Naga Chaitanya reaches Govt Working Women's Hostel in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad to cast his vote.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi says Telangana polls are a forerunner to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. "...the model code of conduct will be announced by ECI in February. My political party is ready to face another important challenge," he says.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi appeals to people to come out and vote as the voter turnout stood at 8.59 per cent till 9 am.
"I urge the people of Telangana to exercise their vote to create more confidence in the Constitution, to strengthen the democracy and to ensure that development and communal harmony in the state continues," says Owaisi.
"It is high time that polling percentage rises in urban cities including Hyderabad in the state," he adds.
A scuffle broke out between groups of workers of Congress and BJP at a polling station in Jangaon. The situation was later brought under control with police intervention, reports ANI.
After casting his vote, Telangana minister and BRS MLA K T Rama Rao urges people to come out and vote. "I have done my duty as a citizen of this country. I voted for the betterment of Telangana. I urge people of Hyderabad and the state to come out in large numbers and cast their votes," says KTR.
K Venkata Ramana Reddy, who has been fielded against CM KCR and state Congress president Revanth Reddy says he sees both these leaders as candidates of their parties.
"They are big people but I am not going to back off fearing them. A candidate is a candidate in my eyes," he says, adding "KCR was nothing 40 years ago, he became a CM over the journey of years... They became big leaders because their time was right. They should not be considered as geniuses. I am 101% sure I will win."
Actor Venkatesh Daggubati exercised his franchise Hyderabad Presidency Degree and PG College Manikonda, in Ranga Reddy district's Rajendranagar constituency.
Telangana minister and Chief Minister KCR's son, K T Rama Rao arrives with his wife Shailima at a polling booth in Nandi Nagar, Banjara Hills to cast their votes.
Telangana Congress president Revanth Reddy says, "Under the tenure of CM KCR, farmers in the state faced a lot of problems. On the other hand, Congress' guarantees will be a development model for the country and the party will form a government with a two-thirds majority."
Actor Srikanth casts his vote in Hyderabad's Jubilee Hills area and appeals to people to exercise their franchise.
Telangana State Congress president Revanth Reddy and his wife Geetha perform Gau Pujan at their residence in Kodangal, Vikarabad ahead of casting their votes.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi casts vote in Hyderabad.
CM K Chandrashekar Rao will shortly reach his ncestral village Chintamadaka in Medak district to cast his vote.
Telugu actor Jr NTR and his family arrived at P Obul Reddy Public School in Hyderabad to cast their vote while actor Chiranjeevi reached with his family at Jubilee Hills polling station to cast vote.
Cricketer-turned-politician and Congress candidate from Jubilee Hills, Mohammad Azharuddin casts vote in Hyderabad. "It is important to vote. If you don't vote, then you don't have any right to question," he says.
Telangana Chief Election Officer Vikas Raj says polling is going on peacefully across the state.
"Since 7 am we have started seeing long queues at very interior places also...Polling is going on briskly. At every place, it is very peaceful and I request all the voters to vote," he says.
Union minister G Kishan Reddy exudes confidence that BJP will form the government with clear majority in Telangana. "We don't need MLAs from other parties. We will form the government on our own in the state. We will get majority in Telangana," he says while speaking to reporters after casting his vote.
Telangana Chief Electoral Officer Vikas Raj casts his vote at a polling station in Hyderabad's SR Nagar.
Oscar-winning music composer Padma Shri MM Keeravani casts his vote in Hyderabad's Jubilee Hills and appeals to everyone to exercise their franchise. "...Everyone should utilise their voting power...This is not a holiday," says Keeravani.
The voting has been halted at polling station number 253 in R&B Building in Kamareddy Assembly constituency due to malfunctioning of the electronic voting machine, reports ANI.
Union minister G Kishan Reddy has cast his vote in Hyderabad's Barkatpura.
BRS MLC K Kavitha exudes confidence as polling begins in Telangana. "The decibels (during the election campaigning) have been high but then last time it was the same scenario," she says while speaking to reporters, adding "Ultimately, people supported the BRS party and this time also we believe people will support BRS."
Actor Allu Arjun was seen standind in a queue outside a polling station in Hyderabad's Jubilee Hills area to cast his vote.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeals to people in Telangana to vote in record numbers as the polling begins for all the 119 seats.
"I call upon my sisters and brothers of Telangana to vote in record numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy. I particularly urge young and first time voters to exercise their franchise," PM Modi posts on X.
Voting begins for the Telangana Elections 2023. As many as 2,290 candidates from 109 parties, including the national and regional parties, are in the fray.
Background
Telangana Assembly Election 2023 Highlights: Join us in this dedicated space provided by ABP Live for latest updates on the Telangana Assembly Election 2023. Stay tuned to stay informed about all developments unfolding in the political arena of the nation's youngest state.
Telangana, India's youngest state, is all set for the State Legislative Assembly elections scheduled to take place on Thursday, following a dynamic campaign featuring national leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi, and BRS leader K Chandrasekar Rao.
Set to commence on December 4 and extend until December 22, the elections will involve 35,655 polling stations across the state, accommodating 3.26 crore eligible voters. Polling is scheduled from 7 AM to 5 PM in 106 constituencies and from 7 AM to 4 PM in 13 Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas, according to official sources as reported by news agency PTI 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 vying for the 119 Assembly seats.
Telangana, with its 33 diverse districts, forms the backdrop for the electoral theatre where 19 seats are reserved for SC candidates, and 12 are earmarked for ST candidates.
The state's political dynamics are influenced by its geographical connections with four states. A network of 35,655 polling centers has been established across the state, reflecting the extensive reach of the democratic process, according to the Election Commission.
The state boasts a substantial electorate, with a total of 3.26 crore eligible voters, including 1,62,98,418 male voters and 1,63,01,705 female voters, as per EC data.
The Election Commission enforced the model code of conduct on October 9, with BRS contesting all 119 seats, BJP and Jana Sena in 111 and 8 seats respectively, and Congress, along with ally CPI, in 118 seats.
In a bid to maintain its winning streak since 2014, BRS faces competition from an assertive Congress, aiming to overcome its 2018 defeat, and the BJP, vigorously campaigning for its first victory in the southern state.
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, along with other BJP leaders, addressed rallies, emphasizing the party's promises and the need for a "double engine government."
The BRS campaign focused on ongoing welfare measures and the alleged failures of the previous Congress regime. Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra led the campaign, highlighting alleged corruption in the BRS government and presenting six poll guarantees.
Congress stalwart Mohammad Azharuddin is contesting for the Jubilee Hills seat, while AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi expresses confidence in his party's connection with the public.
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. 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.
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