After weeks of high-octane campaigning across 119 constituencies, it's now over to the voters in Telangana as the state gears up for polling on November 30.
The voting on Thursday will conclude the assembly elections in the five states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram. These were the last states to go to polls before the focus shifts to the Lok Sabha elections next year.
Polling in Telagana would be held from 7am to 5pm in 106 constituencies and from 7am to 4pm in 13 Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas, official sources said on Wednesday.
The results for all the five states will be declared on December 3. But before that, all eyes will be on the exit poll predictions which are expected to come out in the evening after the voting ends in Telangana.
Cong, BJP's bid to dislodge BRS' fortress
The ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and its rivals, Congress and BJP, ran a spirited and aggressive campaign to woo the voters of the state.
While the BRS is trying to retain power for a third consecutive term, the Congress is fighting tooth and nail to form its first government in the state. The BJP, on the other hand, is leaving no stone unturned to make its presence felt in the state.
Notably, Telangana saw the longest campaigning period of the five states where elections were held in November.
Throughout the campaign trail, the two national parties attempted to brand the ruling BRS as the "B-team" of each other.
However, the party led by K Chandrashekar Rao refuted claims of collusion with either the BJP or Congress, describing itself as the "A-team of the people of Telangana."
The BRS campaign centered on both critiquing the previous Congress administration's shortcomings and highlighting its ongoing welfare initiatives for farmers and women. CM Rao emphasised his relentless efforts in achieving statehood for Telangana.
Meanwhile, the Congress campaign predominantly targeted alleged corruption within the BRS government and reiterated its “six poll guarantees.”
The BJP emphasised the need for a “double engine government” in Telangana and attacked KCR's party over issues like corruption and dynasty politics. It also accused the Congress of betraying the people of the state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed several meetings during the campaign period, besides holding a roadshow in Hyderabad on Monday amid huge fanfare while KCR attended 96 poll rallies.
Other than PM Modi, several Union ministers including Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah, as well as Congress leaders Mallikrajun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi canvassed for votes for their respective party candidates.
Though it's a three-way contest in Telangana, the Congress and BJP have accomodated some allies as well.
BRS has fielded candidates in all 119 seats in the state. As per the seat sharing agreement, BJP and Jana Sena are contesting in 111 and 8 seats respectively. Congress gave one seat to its ally CPM.
Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM has put up candidates in nine segments in Hyderabad.
Star candidates and key numbers
There are over 3.26 crore eligible voters in the state who will seal the fate of 2,290 contestants during the upcoming elections.
Voters would exercise their franchise in 35,655 polling stations set up across the state. More than 2.5 lakh staff will be engaged in poll duties for the polls.
The key candidates include BRS supremo and chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, his minister-son K T Rama Rao, TPCC president A Revanth Reddy and BJP Lok Sabha members Bandi Sanjay Kumar, D Arvind and Soyam Bapu Rao.
KCR is contesting from two segments-Gajwel and Kamareddy- and so is Revanth Reddy from Kodangal and Kamareddy. The BJP fielded its MLA, Etala Rajender, from Gajwel, besides Huzurabad, where he is the incumbent legislator.
The model code of conduct came into force in the state after the Elections Commission announced the schedule on October 9. There are.
According to CEO, prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC have been promulgated across the state.
As of November 28, authorities have confiscated cash, gold, liquor, and various freebies valued at approximately Rs 737 crore in the state since the implementation of the model code of conduct on October 9, as per an official statement.
The Election Commission (EC) has instructed all private businesses, including IT firms, to observe a holiday on November 30, allowing employees the opportunity to cast their votes.