Hyderabad:

Chandrababu-Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party has reportedly decided to stay out of the electoral battle in Telangana, as reported last week by NDTV.

A decision to this effect is said to have been taken after a meeting of Telangana Telugu Desam chief Kasani Gnaneswar with Chandrababu Naidu inside Rajahmundry Central Jail.

Chandrababu Naidu, arrested for allegedly misappropriating funds from the Skill Development Corporation, is currently lodged in the Rajahmundry Central Jail.

Mr Naidu had reportedly said that with him in jail, it may not be possible for the leadership to campaign in Telangana and therefore the state party chief must explain to the cadre the circumstances.

Even otherwise, with the BJP showing keenness to go with the Jana Sena in Telangana while staying non-committal in Andhra Pradesh on joining hands with the Jana Sena that has declared that it will fight the 2024 elections with the Telugu Desam, has put Chandrababu Naidu in an awkward position.

The Telugu Desam has had a support base in Telangana because of which it won 15 seats in 2014 and two seats in the 2018 assembly elections. The elected MLAs subsequently shifted loyalty to the ruling party.

Supporters of Mr Chandrababu Naidu in Telangana had been upset that the BRS had not given statements condemning the arrest of Chandrababu Naidu and they were not allowed to hold a protest in his support in the Hitech city area.

When some groups said they would consider shifting their vote away from the BRS to the Congress, that had the ruling party leadership worried and then multiple leaders spoke up condemning the manner of Mr Naidu’s arrest.

It is in this context that the BJP reaching out to Pawan Kalyan is significant. The Jana Sena has not been active in Telangana but Pawan Kalyan has a fan base. The BJP could hope that his announcement that he will fight the elections along with the Telugu Desam, could fetch them the votes of the Naidu supporters or at least move it away from the Congress and BRS. 

This time in Telangana the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi, fighting to score a hat-trick in the state, is hoping people will go with “Manchiga Chesindu, Malli Vasthadu (He did well, He will come back)” whereas the Opposition is hoping it will be “10 samachralu ichcham. Marusdham (We gave 10 years. Let’s Change)”.

In 2018, Chief Minister KCR suddenly dissolved the assembly and announced his party candidates on the same day, taking competition by surprise. This time too, the BRS announced its candidates in August itself, becoming the first off the blocks.

KCR has expressed confidence that his party would emerge victorious in the upcoming assembly elections, securing between 95 and 105 seats in the 119-member house.

Going all-out, the BJP promised to make a person from the OBC community the Chief Minister if the party comes to power in Telangana.

In the previous Assembly election in 2018, the BRS, previously known as Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), won 88 of the 119 seats, hogging 47.4 per cent of the total vote share.

The Congress came in a distant second with just 19 seats

Telangana will vote on November 30 and results will be declared on December 3.

New Delhi:

Once known for his stylish flicks and sharp catching on the cricket field, Mohammed Azharuddin has entered the electoral fray in Telangana as the Congress candidate from Jubilee Hills, saying he will bat aggressively and field properly to win on this new pitch. A swashbuckling batsman from Hyderabad, Azhar made a mark in the cricketing arena with his inimitable swagger and stylish stroke play.

Like the explosive start he had to his cricketing career with three back-to-back centuries, he also began his political innings with a win from Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad Lok Sabha seat in 2009.

He lost from Rajasthan’s Tonk-Sawai Madhopur in 2014 and after waiting in the wings patiently he is now entering the state electoral contest for the first time by seeking to wrest the Jubilee Hills constituency in the Secunderabad Lok Sabha segment from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).

In an interview with PTI, the former India cricket captain said he was yearning to contest from his home state and do something for the people of Telangana after being an MP from UP and then unsuccessfully contesting the 2014 Lok Sabha polls from Tonk-Sawai Madhopur.

“I was very happy to get the ticket this time from my own state. I must thank my high command – Mallikarjun Kharge ji, Sonia Gandhi ji. Rahul ji, Priyanka ji, and most importantly our PCC chief A Revanth Reddy for giving me this opportunity. Insha Allah (god willing) we will try our best and win the election,” said Azhar, who is a veteran of 99 Test matches and 334 One Day Internationals.

The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee working president said, “Winds of change” are blowing in Telangana in the Congress’ favour and “we will definitely prevail”.

“It is the right time, we have the right people, we are working very hard and the public also wants the Congress to come to power. Development that has happened is only in some urban areas and not elsewhere, so we will focus there and the six guarantees we have made, we will definitely abide by them and implement them,” Azhar told PTI.

Asked about him sticking with the Congress since he got the parliamentary polls ticket from Moradabad in 2009, he said loyalty is very important to him since the beginning.

“I have always felt that whenever someone gives you the opportunity one should be loyal,” the 60-year-old said.

Azhar cited the example of how he stuck with the bank that gave him a job even before he broke into the Indian team.

“When I made the three hundreds in the first three matches to set a record I had various opportunities and people were willing to give me any amount of money and jobs but one has to be loyal. When I was nothing, the bank gave me the much needed job. Similarly, the Congress gave me the opportunity and I fought two elections, so you have to be loyal because loyalty is the most important thing ” the former India cricket captain said.

“Sometimes things do not go according to how you want them to go but that means it was not meant to be because destiny also plays a very important role,” he said.

Azhar said people have seen what the BRS has done and they know that the Congress has done much more for them in the past.

All the development that happened was under Congress rule since Independence, he said.

“So, we will definitely develop Telangana, especially the areas which have been left behind,” he said.

Rich people are becoming richer and the poor, poorer so justice has to be done for them, he asserted.

“The people want change and development. Especially in the case of minorities nothing has happened and there is only talk. The backward classes, their development has also not happened,” Azhar said.

On the contest he has at hand in Jubilee Hills, the Congress leader said he has the confidence of the people of the constituency as whenever he spoke with them, he got an overwhelming response.

“People talk about it being an upscale area. But there are areas which need development. Local Congress cadre is also working very hard and we have the confidence of the people,” he said.

“I want to tell the people about the guarantees of the party and fight on those lines,” he said.

Asserting that he wanted to work for his home state, Azhar said he wanted to do something for the people of the state and is really looking forward to the campaigning.

Asked about what inspiration he would draw from cricket in his electoral battle, he said one has to be aggressive in these things and campaign aggressively.

“Once you are out on the field you have to face everything and you can’t be docile,” he said and added that he has to win the hearts of the people.

“We will do the fielding properly and win on this pitch which is very big, not just 22 yards,” Azhar said in a lighter vein.

BRS’ Gopinath Maganti is the sitting MLA from Jubilee Hills from where Azhar has been fielded.

The Congress is seeking to replace the BRS government in the state. Voting for 119 assembly seats in Telangana is set to take place on November 30 and results will be declared on December 3.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Hyderabad:

Unaccounted cash, gold and other valuables and freebies worth over Rs 165 crore were seized in poll-bound Telangana till Wednesday as part of enforcement of model code of conduct which came into force in the state on October 9.

A total of Rs 77.87 crore in cash, gold, silver and other valuables worth around Rs 62.73 crore, besides liquor worth over Rs 8.99 crore, ganja valued at Rs 7.55 crore and other items/ freebies worth Rs 8.64 crore were seized, according to a statement issued by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer on Wednesday.

From October 9 (when the schedule for the Telangana Assembly elections was announced) till October 18 (9 AM), the total cumulative seizures by law enforcement agencies is valued at over Rs 165 crore, it said.

The state goes to the polls on November 30. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Hyderabad:

It is just about a week since the election code came into effect in Telangana, and in just eight days, seizures in the form of cash, liquor, drugs, gold, and silver have crossed Rs 100 crore, according to officials.

In 2018, in the run-up to assembly elections, the total amount recovered was Rs 103.89 crore. This year, the recoveries are set to cross that figure.

The Election Commission has said nearly Rs 56 crore in cash (Rs 55,99,26,994), Rs 2.6 crore worth liquor, Rs 3.42 crore worth ganja, Rs 38.45 crore worth gold, silver and diamonds, other freebies worth Rs 70 lakh, adding up to over Rs 101 crores (Rs 101,18,17,299) has been seized.

Telangana votes on November 30 and the results will be announced on December 3.

Hyderabad:

Ten grams of gold to eligible women at the time of marriage, besides Rs one lakh cash and free internet to students are some of the promises that are likely to figure in the Telangana Congress manifesto for the November 30 Assembly polls.

According to D Sridhar Babu, chairman of the TPCC manifesto committee, the gold is in addition to Rs one lakh cash, under the party’s ‘Mahalakshmi’ guarantee.

Presently, the BRS government, under Kalyana Lakshmi and Shaadi Mubarak Schemes, offer one-time financial assistance of Rs 1,00,116 at the time of marriage for brides who are residents of Telangana, who have completed 18 years of age at the time of marriage and whose parental income does not exceed Rs 2 lakh per annum.

“One tula (10 gms) of gold will be given. This (gold value) comes to about Rs 50,000 to 55, 000,” Sridhar Babu told PTI.

A member of the manifesto committee said the party is also planning to include free internet for students in the manifesto.

“After coming to power we will talk to internet service providers and work out modalities,” the member said.

When contacted Sravan Dasoju, BRS spokesperson said the Congress government in Karnataka is not able to implement their poll promises and they can promise anything under the moon.

“Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, also known as KCR, is a pioneer in bringing out and implementing innovative policies and programmes for the poor which were never imagined by any other political party in independent India,” Mr Dasoju said.

He further said BRS president Rao is known for generosity and, importantly, his compassion towards the poor and downtrodden.

KCR on Sunday announced BRS manifesto promising LPG cylinder at Rs 400 and a rise in social pensions, countering the Congress party’s “six guarantees” for the Telangana polls.

Under the ‘Mahalakshmi’ guarantee, the Congress promises to provide Rs 2,500 per month financial assistance to women, LPG cylinder at Rs 500, free travel for women in TSRTC buses across the state.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Hyderabad:

Unaccounted cash to the tune of over Rs 20 crore and 31.9 kg gold was seized at various places in Telangana after the model code of conduct came into force on October 9.

A total of Rs 20.43 crore in cash, 31.979 kg gold, 350 kgs silver and 42.203 carat diamond, all worth Rs 14.65 crore besides liquor worth Rs 86.9 lakh, ganja valued at Rs 89 lakh, and other items/freebies worth Rs 22.51 lakh were seized, according to a statement issued by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer.

The state goes to the polls on November 30.

Since October 9 (when the schedule for the Telangana Assembly elections was announced) till date (morning), the total cumulative seizures is valued at Rs 37 crore, it said.

The statement further said 100 companies of the Central Armed Police Force were deployed to Telangana and they will report by October 20.

Police and other enforcement agencies have intensified their statewide enforcement efforts against illicit money, drugs, liquor, freebies and other inducements and have been carrying out checking of vehicles among other measures. 

Hyderabad:

 The working president of the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in Telangana, K T Rama Rao, alleged on Tuesday that Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s comments at a public meeting in Adilabad were full of lies.

Taking a dig at Amit Shah, Rama Rao also said it is ironic to hear him speak of dynastic politics.

“Amit Shah’s statements at the Adilabad public meeting are filled with blatant lies. Amit Shah has become a laughing stock in Telangana,” Rama Rao, the son of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), said in a statement.

The home minister should clarify “where his son Jay Shah played cricket or provided coaching” before being appointed as secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), he added.

“Amit Shah, during a speech in Adilabad district five years ago, pledged to revive the dormant Cement Corporation of India. Half a decade later, the promise remains unfulfilled,” the BRS leader said.

He accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of neglecting Telangana.

In the decade since Telangana’s inception, not a single educational institution has been granted to the state, Rama Rao said.

He said Shah’s claim that Telangana holds the top position in the country in farmer suicides is false and misleading.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) copied the BRS government’s “Rythu Bandhu” investment support scheme for farmers and other schemes from Telangana and is alleging that the farmers of the southern state are committing suicide, Rama Rao said.

“The BJP is more interested in using religion for political gains, potentially disrupting communal harmony,” he alleged.

The BRS leader also said Shah should provide a detailed account of what the BJP has done for Telangana over the past decade before asking people for votes.

Referring to Shah’s allegation that the “steering” of the BRS (the party’s poll symbol is car) is in the hands of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), he said it is in the hands of KCR.

“People are tired of the empty promises made by BJP leaders during elections. Instead, they should address issues like unemployment and rising essential commodity prices,” Rama Rao said.

Shah, who addressed the public meeting at Adilabad on Tuesday, kicking off the BJP’s campaign for the November 30 Telangana Assembly polls, mounted a sharp attack against KCR, charging him with only being focused on making his son the chief minister.

Taking on the BRS supremo, he alleged that KCR never worked for the poor but is only keen on making his son the chief minister.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Hyderabad:

Ruling BRS Working President KT Rama Rao on Monday expressed confidence that his party would score a hat-trick by winning the Legislative Assembly polls scheduled to be held on November 30. He hoped that the elections in Telangana would be “one-sided” in favour of the BRS.

“Elections are going to happen. Election is on November 30. Counting is on December 03. It seems the numbers are also in our favour this time. 30. 03. I feel KCR sir becoming Chief Minister scoring a hat-trick is also going to be certain. Things are in our favour. 3+3 is six. Our lucky number is also six. KCR sir becoming CM is certain and it seems dates are also favourable,” he said, addressing a public meeting at Parkal.

In a message posted on “X”, Rama Rao, also known as KTR said, people have blessed twice and are ready to give a victory third time.

“It would be a third-time win for KCR in the results that would be announced on December 3. It will be a new chapter in South India with an able leader being crowned,” KTR, son of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, said in the message.

Assembly polls in Telangana will be held on November 30 and the counting of votes will be taken up on December 3.

Except for Gandhian theory, there is no place for “Godse” philosophy in Telangana, he said, hitting out indirectly at the BJP.

He further said old records will be rewritten this time by winning over 100 seats.

The Congress Party gave up the fight while the BJP left the battle even before it started, he mocked.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)