Telangana Polls: Campaigning Ends, State to Vote on 7 Dec
Catch all the live updates on Telangana Assembly elections here.
India’s youngest state, Telangana goes to polls on 7 December, to constitute the second legislative Assembly. The single phase polling will see voting in all 119 constituencies.
The Telangana Rashtra Samiti chief K Chandrashekar Rao will remain the caretaker chief minister till the new government is formed.
- Telangana is going to polls almost seven months earlier as the TRS government dissolved the assembly before its term ended
- Congress party is considered the main Opposition in the state and is leading a grand alliance called ‘Prajakutami’
- TRS Chief K Chandrashekar Rao will remain the caretaker chief minister till the new govt is formed
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Opinion | Will the ‘KCR vs Naidu’ Narrative Help TRS Win Telangana?
On Thursday, 8 November, even as Nara Chandrababu Naidu was on his way to Deve Gowda territory in Bengaluru to play headhunter for the UPA ahead of 2019, he was being placed in the dock in Hyderabad.
Telangana's Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao released a chargesheet against Naidu, accusing the Andhra Pradesh chief minister of working against the interests of Telangana. Rao cited 19 instances when the Naidu regime in Amaravati had written to the Centre raising objections to irrigation projects in Telangana.
“Naidu does not want Telangana to be self-reliant in power. He wants to show Telangana is not the place to set up industries and divert them to Andhra,” charged Harish Rao.
There is a reason why the Telangana vs Andhra rhetoric is being raised at election time in Telangana. Naidu's Telugu Desam is part of the Mahakutami or the grand alliance with the Congress, the CPI and the Telangana Jana Samiti.
Read full story here.
Prof Kodandaram: The Pivotal Figure Behind Telangana’s Prajakutami
Muddasani Kodandaram was expected to join politics in 2014, after he successfully led the mass students' agitation for a separate state of Telangana, alongside K Chandrashekar Rao.
The former professor at Osmania University in Hyderabad, is credited with uniting the various stakeholders in Telangana and acting as a guiding force during the struggle for separate statehood.
“If Telangana people’s aspirations, for which they fought, are not realised, then I will step in again. If the TRS is smart, it won’t let such a situation arise,” the professor had told The Indian Express in 2014.
However, in four years, a lot has changed – from his relationship with the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) to his foray into mainstream politics.
Read full story here.
A Visit to a Telangana Constituency Shows Scores of Bogus Voters
While declaring Telangana “election ready,” the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) OP Rawat had assured Telangana that “every voter in the final list published now is genuine.” The CEC, on Wednesday 24 October, after his three-day review of poll preparedness in Telangana said the Commission has used the latest technology to purify the electoral rolls during the special summary revision process.
However, a status check at Nampally constituency in Hyderabad by The News Minute showed a large number of discrepancies in the final electoral rolls released by the EC on 12 October.
Read full story here.
Congress Releases First List 65 Candidates for Telangana Polls
The Congress has released its first list of 65 candidates for the Telangana assembly elections. The party is contesting the polls in the state in alliance with the TDP.
TRS Leader Threatens To Commit Suicide If Denied Ticket
A woman leader of Telangana's ruling party TRS on Tuesday threatened to commit suicide if she was denied party ticket for next month's assembly elections.
K. Shankaramma, mother of Telangana martyr Kasoju Srikhantha Chary, said that if the party fields any other candidate from Huzurnagar constituency in Nalgonda district, she would end her life.
Chary had immolated himself for the cause of a separate Telangana state in 2000.
(Source: IANS)
Discontent Among Supporters As Congress Releases First List of Candidates
Followers of some aspirants, whose names did not figure in the list, staged protests at the party office Gandhi Bhavan here while some others decided to quit the party and contest as independent candidates.
Party spokesman M. Krishank has opposed the party's decision to give ticket to his father-in-law and former central minister Sarve Satyanarayana from Secunderabad Cantonment constituency. Krishank's supporters staged a sit-in at Gandhi Bhavan.
(Source: IANS)
Congress Releases a List of 10 Candidates
Congress releases a list of 10 candidates for the upcoming Telangana Legislative Assembly elections.
TDP Releases First List of 9 Candidates
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) released its first list of nine candidates for the December 7 Legislative Assembly elections in Telangana.
The candidates announced by the TDP include -- Nama Nageswara Rao (Khammam assembly constituency), Revuri Prakash Reddy (Warangal West), S Venkata Veeraiah (Sattupalli), Kothakota Dayakar Reddy (Maktal), Erra Sekhar (Mahabubnagar), T Veerender Goud (Uppal), Bhavya Anand Prasad (Serilingampalli), Machha Nageswara Rao (Aswaraopet) and Muzaffar Ali Khan (Malakpet), according to a TDP media release issued Monday midnight.
(Source: PTI)
CPI To Announce Candidates For 3 Assembly Seats
CPI state secretary Chada Venkat Reddy told reporters here that the names of candidates from Husnabad, Wyra and Bellampalli would be announced Wednesday, 13 November. The "grand alliance" comprises the Congress, TDP, CPI and Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS).
Expressing dissatisfaction over Congress "unilaterally" announcing that CPI would get three seats, the Left party had earlier said it would field candidates from five assembly segments. The party had also named the five seats.
Chada Venkat Reddy Tuesday said his party is seeking a constituency in Nalgonda district, in addition to the three.
(Source: PTI)
KCR Files nomination From Siddipet's Gajwel
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao files nomination from Siddipet district’s Gajwel constituency, reported ANI.
(Source: ANI)
Congress Releases Second List of Candidates
The names in the list are:
Ramesh Rathod (Khanapur-ST), Jajala Surendar (Yellareddy), Adluri Laxman Kumar (Dharmapuri-SC), KK Mahendar Reddy (Sircilla), Kichannagari Laxma Reddy (Medchal), Dr Sravan Dasoju (Khairatabad), P Vishnuvardhan Reddy (Jubilee Hills), C Pratap Reddy (Shadnagar), Gandra Venkata Ramana Reddy (Bhupalpalle) and Kandala Upender Reddy (Palair).
(Source: PTI)
Me, The Change: What Do First-Time Women Voters Want?
From education to health, what do these feisty first-time women voters of Telangana want?
The Quint finds out:
‘Pink’ War Between Cong, TRS
The colour pink may generally be associated with women, but in poll-bound Telangana it has got opposition Congress up in arms against the Election Commission's move to opt for the colour on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), saying pink was connected with the ruling TRS.
Pink seems to ‘give jitters' to the Congress as K Chandrasekhar Rao-led Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) uses it as the party's official colour scheme for all its promotional material.
(Read full story here)
BJP's Raja Singh Makes Controversial Statement
BJP leader T Raja Singh tweeted, “If you stop us from raising bharat mata ki jai and jai sri ram slogans you would be deported to pakistan (sic).”
TDP Supporter Climbs Electric Pole Demanding Ticket For Deepak Reddy
A supporter of TDP's Deepak Reddy climbed an electric pole in front of TDP office in Jubilee Hills earlier on Wednesday, 14 November, demanding ticket for Reddy from Khairatabad constituency. He later climbed down.
Congress and TDP fielded Cong' Dasoju Sravan Kumar from the constituency.
(Source: ANI)
KCR's Son KT Rama Rao Addresses Rally in Sathupalli
Ministers KT Rama Rao, Sri Thummala Nageswara Rao participated and addressed a public meeting in Sathupalli constituency on Wednesday, 14 November. MP Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Sathupalli MLA candidate Pidamarthi Ravi also participated in the meeting.
(Source: Twitter)
TRS Releases Second List of 10 Candidates
The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) has released the second list of 10 candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in the state.
Jetti Kusum Kumar Appointed Working President of TPCC
Congress President Rahul Gandhi appoints Jetti Kusum Kumar as Working President of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee.
(Source: ANI)
Denied Ticket, TRS Leader Defects to BJP
TRS leader Bodiga Shobha, who is an incumbent MLA from Choppadandi constituency has defected to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after he was denied ticket from Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS).
(Source: The News Minute)
Denied Ticket, Former Hyderabad Mayor Sits on Dharna Outside Rahul Gandhi's House
Disappointed on being denied a ticket, former Hyderabad Mayor Banda Karthika Reddy sits on a dharna with her husband, outside Rahul Gandhi's residence in Delhi.
BJP Releases List of 20 Candidates
The BJP on Thursday, 15 November
Senior Leader Abid Rasool, Karthik Reddt Resign From Congress
In a jolt to Telangana Congress, senior leader Abid Rasool resigned from Congress and has defected to Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). Another leader Karthik Reddy has also resigned from Congress.
(Source: The News Minute)
BJP Releases 4th List of 7 Candidates
The BJP released its fourth list of seven candidates for the Telangana Assembly elections on Friday night.
BJP Releases 5th List of 19 Candidates
The BJP released fifth list of 19 candidates for Telangana polls on Sunday, 18 November.
BJP Releases 6th List of Six Candidates
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday, 18 November, released the sixth list of six candidates for the upcoming polls in the state, news agency ANI reported.
Congress Releases Fourth List of Candidates
Telangana Congress released fourth list of six candidates for the December 7, Assembly Elections, according to ANI.
2,960 Nominations Received till 19 November: CEO
Telangana’s Chief Electoral Officer, on Monday, 19 November, told news agency ANI that the Election Commission has received a total of 2,960 nominations for the upcoming Assembly Elections on 7 December.
These numbers are not including 23 constituencies that are still to report on the nominations.
TRS’ First Family File Affidavit: KTR’s Assets Increase by Whopping 400 Percent
The assets of the first family of the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in the state has grown by a considerable percentage over the last four years, a look at the affidavits filed by K Chandrasekhar Rao, his son, K Tarakarama Rao, and nephew, Thanneeru Harish Rao in 2014 and 2018 revealed, according to The News Minute.
According to the affidavit filed by KCR last week, the TRS chief shows his total annual income as per the financial year of 2017-18 as Rs 1,10,25,210, as compared to Rs 6,59,684 that he earned in the financial year 2012-13.
TRS MP Resigns from Party and Lok Sabha
TRS MP from Chevella Konda Vishweshwar Reddy resigned from the party as well as the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, 20 November, ahead of the Assembly elections on 7 December.
In his letter to K Chandrashekar Rao, Reddy spoke of how the TRS was “becoming more and more distant, from the very people, whom we had once represented extremely well.”
Transgender Files Nomination Papers for 7 December Polls
A 32-year-old transgender, contesting the December 7 Assembly elections in Telangana, filed her nominations on Monday, 19 November, reported PTI.
Chandramukhi is contesting on a CPM-led Bahujan Left Front (BLF) ticket from Goshamahal constituency.
She is pitted against former Minister and senior Congress leader Mukhesh Goud and controversial BJP leader T Raja Singh in the constituency.
Replying to a query as to why she chose Goshamahal, the transgender-activist said it is where most of the business community from North lives and the womenfolk of the community know the plight of transgenders.
"If elected, I will focus on the problem of child labour, which is prevalent in the constituency, and also ensure that housing scheme for the poor is properly implemented," she said.
Originally a male, Chandramukhi underwent a sex-change procedure 15 years ago and has since lived with the transgender community.
Political Parties Ignore 'Girl Power' In Seat Allocation
Major political parties in Telangana that ostensibly support the Women's Reservation Bill, gave a raw deal to women in allottment of assembly seats for the 7 December polls.
Former ministers J Geetha Reddy, DK Aruna, Sunitha Laxma Reddy and Sabitha Indra Reddy are among the women candidates contesting in the coming Assembly polls.
Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which is part of a grand alliance has given the B-Form to one woman out of the 14 seats it is contesting.
Telangana Jana Samithi, also a partner in the alliance has given ticket to one woman.
The BJP gave tickets to 14 women across the state while its arch rival AIMIM which fielded eight candidates in Hyderabad has no woman representation.
“Why No Women on Welcome Posters Welcoming Sonia Gandhi?”
Actor-turned-politician Vijayashanti, who is one of the star campaigners for Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC), has hit out against her own party and the lack of female representation in the welcome posters that were printed ahead of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi's visit, reported The News Minute.
Pointing out that the posters only had photos of male leaders, Vijayashanti also said that it was ironical of the Congress to question the lack of female representation in the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS).
“The people are asking whether the programme is only for men,” she said in a press release.
"Will only men share the dais during Sonia Gandhi's public meeting? If not, there should be photographs of women leaders too, in the publicity material," she added.
Following Vijayashanti's statement on Tuesday evening, 20 November, in what seems to be a quick fix by the TPCC, advertisements that were printed in the newspapers on Wednesday morning included Vijayashanti's photo amidst the photos of 14 other leaders, all men.
P Chidambaram Poses Question For TRS Govt
Congress leader P Chidambaram posed questions for the K Chandrashekar Rao-led TRS government asking him about the promises made by him in 2014.
"TRS and its leader have not stood up to or opposed the BJP. That stance puts them squarely in the column of the BJP. If the battle in the other four states is to defeat the BJP, the battle in Telangana is to defeat the TRS, which is a proxy of the BJP," he said, as reported by The News Minute.
Over 3,500 File Nominations For Telangana Elections
Over 3,500 candidates have filed their nominations for the December 7 Telangana Assembly elections, officials said. With the deadline for filing of nominations coming to an end yesterday, a total of 3,584 candidates filed their papers in all 119 constituencies.
(Source: IANS)
KCR Slams BJP & Congress, Accuses Them of 'Centralising Powers'
TRS President K Chandrasekhar Rao alleged on Thursday, 22 November, both the BJP and Congress indulged in centralisation of power at the cost of ignoring interests of the states.
The caretaker Telangana Chief Minister urged the people to vote his party back to power in the December seven assembly elections and also make it victorious in next year's Lok Sabha polls to make the Centre agree to the state's demands.
"The Centre has kept with it (resolutions). That's why I appeal to you. The Congress or BJP, they don't solve these problems. They cannot do it. They don't want to do it. All power should be centralised in Delhi, wield influence (on states). That is the attitude of these parties," he said TRS has to play a role in national politics as well, Rao said.
"Not only assembly elections today. Tomorrow, in parliament elections also, if we win all MP seats, then only we can bend Delhi's neck," he said.
Sonia Gandhi Addresses Rally in Medchal
UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, while addressing a rally at Medchal said that after the birth of Telangana, the state government did not care for it.
“Mothers know how important it is to look after a newborn baby. It is unfortunate that after the birth of Telangana, your responsibility fell into the hands of those who cared for themselves, but not for you,” she said.
Rahul Gandhi Adresses Rally in Medchal
‘Won’t Allow Religion-Based Reservations’: Shah on Muslim Quota
BJP President Amit Shah on Sunday said that his party will not allow the Telangana government to implement 12 percent reservation for minorities, The News Minute reported.
He said, "the KCR government wants to give 12 percent reservation to minority community despite the Supreme Court setting a limit of 50 percent on reservations,” Shah was quoted buy TNM as saying.
PM Modi Addresses Rally in Nizamabad
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a rally in Nizamabad ahead of 2018 Telangana Assembly polls.
PM Modi Addresses a Rally in Mahabubnagar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a rally in Mahabubnagar ahead of 2018 Telangana Assembly polls.
KCR Slams Amit Shah for Opposing Quota to Muslims
Telangana Rashtra Samithi President and caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday, 26 November, slammed BJP chief Amit Shah for his opposition to TRS government's proposal to increase reservation for Muslims in the state.
Rao, who was speaking at an election rally at Dichpally, said he will continue his efforts to get quotas increased for Scheduled Tribes and Muslims.
BJP chief Amit Shah Sunday attacked the TRS government's proposal to give 12 percent quota to Muslims, saying his party would never allow it as religion-based reservation is unconstitutional.
"Family-Ruled" TRS and Congress Playing "Friendly Match" in Telangana: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, 27 November, accused the TRS and Congress of perpetuating family rule and said the two parties were playing a "friendly match" in Telangana elections.
Reaffirming the BJP's commitment to inclusive growth, Modi, addressing his first election rally in the state, said vote bank politics has harmed development like "termites".
"The chief minister of Telangana and his family thinks they can get away with doing no work like the Congress. They have adopted the style of the Congress which ruled for 50-52 years without doing anything. But that cannot happen now," he told an election rally in Nizamabad, as he took the poll battle to caretaker CM K Chandrasekhar Rao's turf.
Nizamabad is represented by Rao's daughter K Kavitha in the Lok Sabha.
CM Should Go Live in London: Modi Hits Out at KCR
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also accused said the chief minister had once asserted he would transform Nizamabad into a smart city like London but the place was still grappling with shortage of water, electricity and proper roads.
Modi also said that he doesn’t see any development in Nizamabad and the poorer cities of the country appear seem to have better development than Nizamabad.
“The CM should go live in London for five years and return after that,” he said
Congress Releases Manifesto for Telangana Polls
The Indian National Congress (INC) released the manifesto for the upcoming Telangana elections on Tuesday, 27 November.
Rahul Gandhi Addresses a Rally in Khammam
Congress President Rahul Gandhi addresses a rally in Khamman ahead of Telangana assembly elections.
BJP Claims Many Rohingya Names in Hyderabad Voters List, Demands Probe
The BJP on Wednesday, 28 November alleged that names of Rohingya Muslims have been illegally included in the voters list of 15 assembly seats in Hyderabad in Telangana as part of a "joint conspiracy" of the ruling TRS along with AIMIM and Congress and demanded a probe by the Election Commission.
A BJP delegation comprising Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, party general secretary Arun Singh and its national media head Anil Baluni met top officials of the Election Commission and submitted a memorandum.
After the meeting, Naqvi told reporters that despite clear instructions of the Union Home Ministry that Rohingya Muslims are not Indian citizens, they have been registered as voters in Telangana.
"The registration of Rohingya Muslims as voters is a clear violation of laws of the land. The Election Commission may institute a special investigation team to probe the matter," the BJP said in its memorandum to the Commission.
Naqvi blamed the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and the Congress for inclusion of these names in the assembly constituencies in Hyderabad .
The party also demanded that electoral rolls of 15 assembly constituencies in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation be "rectified" before the assembly election, which is barely nine days away. Telangana is scheduled to go to polls on December 7.
TRS Is 'B team' of BJP, Sangh Parivar: Rahul Gandhi
The TRS is the "B team" of Sangh Parivar and the BJP, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday, 28 November, and claimed the aim of K Chandrasekhar Rao's party and the AIMIM is to ensure that his party is not able to defeat the BJP at the national level, reported PTI.
Sharing dais with TDP boss and Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu for the first time after forging a four-party alliance, he told a poll rally in Telangana's Khammam that all promises made at the time of the bifurcation of AP would be fulfilled after a coalition of anti-BJP parties comes to power at the Centre.
Dalit leaders Gaddar and Manda Krishna Madiga also shared the stage with Naidu and Rahul along with TJS’s Kodandram and Congress’ RC Khuntia. CPI National Secretary Sudhakar Reddy and local leaders were also present at the meeting, reported The News Minute.
"First we will fight against Narendra Modi's B-team (the TRS) and after that we will beat the A-team (the BJP-led NDA)," Rahul Gandhi reportedly asserted.
Chandrababu Naidu also called the ‘Prajakutami’ a “historical need” saying that the Khammam meeting will remain in history for accommodating such a platform.
Accusing TRS of being in cahoots with the saffron party, Gandhi told an election rally at Mahabubnagar’s Kosigi:
Mohammad Azharuddin Appointed as Telangana Congress Committee Working President
Mohammad Azharuddin appointed as the working president of Telangana Congress Committee.
'Aim to Protect Democracy which is in danger': Chandrababu Naidu
People Will Throw TRS Govt Out After Polls: Congress Leader
Former Union Minister and Congress leader Jitin Prasad Saturday said that the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) government in Telangana has failed on all parameters in the last five years and said the Congress party would form the next government in the state, PTI reported.
NDA Govt Using CBI, IT to Harass Opposition: Chandrababu Naidu
Accusing the NDA government of harassing political rivals through agencies life the CBI and the Income Tax department, TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said he joined hands with Congress president Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders to work in national interest.
(Source: PTI)
Traffic Restrictions in Hyd Due to Modi and Rahul Gandhi Campaign Visits
Commuters in Hyderabad are likely to face traffic jams across the city on Monday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to address a massive public meeting of the BJP at LB Stadium, as Telangana is scheduled to go to the polls on 7 December.
In a message, Hyderabad city commissioner Anjani Kumar said that the traffic restrictions would be in place from 2 pm to 10 pm, The News Minute reported.
In a separate press note, the police also said that Congress President Rahul Gandhi would arrive at the Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad at 4 pm, which may impose further traffic curbs on the city.
Telangana CM KCR Hits Out At Congress, BJP, Says I'm Not a Beggar
Telangana Chief Minister Kumar Chandrashekar Rao, told NDTV on Sunday that he is firm on forming a federal front without the Congress or the BJP, saying that change is needed and it’ll start from Hyderabad.
KCR said he has already talked to Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Rahul Gandhi Asks Telangana to Not Be Fooled by AIMIM, BJP or TRS
Congress President, due to campaign in the poll-bound state on Monday, 3 December told the people of Telangana to not be fooled by the BJP, TRS or the AIMIM.
Ahead of his visit, Gandhi tweeted that the people not be fooled by the TRS, which is the BJP’s rubber stamp in Telangana, AIMIM who only split the BJP/TRS vote, terming both parties as BJP’s ‘B’ and ‘C’ team in the state.
“India is My Father’s Country”: Owaisi Hits Back at Adityanath
"India is my father's country. Nobody can force me flee," was how AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday, 2 December, reacted to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's comment that if BJP comes to power in the Telangana, Owaisi will have to flee.
Owaisi Targets Yogi Over Gorakhpur Hospital Deaths
AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday, 3 December, attacked Uttar Pradeh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and said, “Last night in my jalsa, I asked Yogi to be more concerned about Gorakhpur’s hospitals than building walls of hatred in my city.”
Development of 'Dakshin Ayodhya' an Election Issue
With the Ram Mandir issue back on the national political landscape, this Telangana temple down has become a poll plank for the state assembly elections with the ruling TRS being accused of neglecting development of what is known as 'Ayodhya of South' among devotees of Lord Rama.
About 32 kms away from this temple town, there is a place called 'Parnasala' where, as per the local legend, Lord Rama spent a part of his 14 years of exile and from where the demon king Ravana had abducted Sita.
"It is sad to see that this place does not even have a place to dump the household garbage. The garbage collected is being dumped at the bank of river Godavari," said Adilakshmi who lives just behind the temple complex.
KCR's Arrogance to Be Single-Biggest Reason for Rout of TRS: State Cong Chief
Confident of ousting the TRS government in Telangana, the Congress party's state chief Uttam Kumar Reddy has said Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao's arrogance would be the single biggest reason for his party's rout in the assembly polls, reported PTI.
Asserting that the Opposition alliance 'Prajakutami' will make a clean sweep in the 7 December polls, Reddy claimed the ruling TRS (Telangana Rashtra Samithi) will be contained to just 35 seats in the 119-member state assembly.
In the last assembly elections in 2014, the TRS had won 63 seats but its tally had risen further to close to 90 before the assembly was dissolved by the chief minister to advance the polls, which would have otherwise happened next year along with the Lok Sabha elections.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi Addresses Rally in Gadwal
Addressing a rally in poll-bound Telangana, Congress President Rahul Gandhi trained his guns at the KCR government and said, “30 lakh qualified youth of Telangana are unemployed. How many jobs did KCR create in last 5 years?”
PM Modi Address Rally in Hyderabad, Telangana
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Hyderabad on Monday, 3 December. In his speech, Modi alleged that Congress and TRS parties are two sides of the same coin.
He also said that all the parties, except BJP, are a threat to democracy.
Cong Leader Revanth Reddy Arrested Ahead of KCR Meet in Kodangal
After Kodangal MLA Revnath Reddy was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday, Congress’ GN Reddy has said that the CM is misusing the police.
In a major development, Congress Working President and incumbent Kodangal MLA A Revanth Reddy was picked up by the Telangana police in the early hours of Tuesday, hours before a scheduled meeting by caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao in the area.
The police said that it was a preventive arrest on the orders of the Election Commission (EC) as Revanth had appealed to the people in his constituency to boycott the meeting by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief and hold protests in the area. The arrest has triggered tension in the region as Revanth enjoys massive support. The police has also beefed up security in the area to avoid any untoward incident.
Speaking to reporters after his arrest, Revanth Reddy's wife, Geetha, said:
Geetha also alleged that the police personnel didn't even show them their ID cards and said that they have orders from higher officials.
Telangana Police Book German Man for Participating in CPI(ML) Public Meeting
The Telangana police has filed a case against a German man Weidemann Joerge Alexander on Monday for participating in a public meeting held by CPI (ML) New Democracy in Yellandu.
Weidemann, who is central committee member of International Coordination of Revolutionary Parties and Organizations (ICOR) of the Marxist-Leninst Party of Germany reportedly visited India to attend a conference in Bengaluru. However, police learnt that he had participated in the meeting on Sunday held by Narsaiah. After inputs from intelligence sleuths, police accessed photos of the meeting, and registered a case against both Weidemann and Narsaiah along with two others on Monday.
Weidemann has been charged under section 14(b) [does any act in violation of the conditions of the valid visa issued to him for his entry and stay in India or any part thereunder], 14 (c) [contravenes the provisions of this Act or of any order made thereunder or any direction given in pursuance of this Act or such order for which no specific punishment is provided under this Act], 14 C [penalty for abetment] of The Foreigners Act, 1946.
EC Should Give Notice to Amit Shah For Provocative False Statements: Kapil Sibal
Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Kapil Sibal said that they have demanded that the Election Commission send a notice to BJP Chief Amit Shah, for giving false statements in Telangana, which he says could trigger communal violence in the state.
Cong Submits Memorandum to CEC Against TRS Govt
The Congress on Tuesday, 4 November, submitted a memorandum to the Chief Election Commissioner on criminal intimidation and misuse of state machinery by the TRS government.
Cops Seize Rs 5.80 Cr in Warangal, Arrest 3
With Telangana just days away from the polls, the Warangal police seized Rs 5.80 crore in cash o Tuesday, 4 December. Authorities said that the cash was allegedly brought to the area to influence voters in Khammam, Warangal East and Parkal Assembly constituencies, The News Minute reported.
TRS Will form Govt, We Will Not Join It: Asaduddin Owaisi
AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi Wednesday ruled out his party joining the TRS government in the event of it returning to power for second term in office.
The Hyderabad Lok Sabha member said the TRS would form a government on its own.
In any case, there would not be any need for AIMIM to join the government as TRS would get a majority on its own, Owaisi said at a "meet-the-press" programme organised at Hyderabad Press Club.
Responding to questions, he claimed that both BJP President Amit Shah and Congress President Rahul Gandhi want to "stop" his party in the December seven Assembly elections to the 119-member Assembly.
Rahul Gandhi Addresses Rally, Naidu and TDP-Cong Leaders Present
Congress President Rahul Gandhi, on the last day of campaigning, addressed a public rally in Kodad, Suryapet in Telangana.
Gandhi was accompanied by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and other TDP-Congress alliance leaders were also present at the rally.
Rahul Gandhi, Chandrababu Naidu & Other Leaders of People's Front Address Media
The ‘Prajakutami’ or the People’s Front alliance addressed the media on Wednesday, 4 December. They slammed K Chandrashekar Rao’s governance in the state over the last four years and accused him of being Narendra Modi’s “agent.”
Responding to a question on how the the alliance would deal with farmers’ distress, Rahul Gandhi said that the farmers should be “treated as assets and not liability.”
He also said that it was “premature” to discuss the chief ministerial canduidate and their first goal was to defeat the TRS in the state.