Votes not yet counted, but berth pangs begin in Telangana

HYDERABAD: Though there is still over a fortnight left for the votes cast for the Lok Sabha elections to be counted, supporters of some candidates in Telangana are expressing confidence that their leaders would not only win, but also bag a berth in the Union Cabinet. With votes in four of the seven phases of elections now cast, both the NDA and INDIA blocs are claiming that they are ahead and would form the government at the Centre. In the state, candidates fielded by the Congress and BJP are confident of victory, despite the neck-to-neck contest in most seats, and are fancying their chances of making it to the Union Cabinet. Among the many leaders who have a realistic chance of a Cabinet berth is BJP state president and Secunderabad MP G Kishan Reddy. Kishan, a minister in the outgoing government, is a very senior leader and a close follower of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has also been active in the BJP in various positions for the past three decades. Along with Kishan, sitting MPs Bandi Sanjay and Dharmapuri Arvind will also be the front-runners for a Union Cabinet berth provided they win the elections and the NDA retains power. However, since both Sanjay and Arvind hail from the same community, Munnuru Kapu, its highly unlikely that the BJP leadership will pick both for a Cabinet berth. Incidentally, Sanjay served as BJP state president and is currently the partys national general secretary. Other BJP leaders who could be considered by the BJP leadership, provided the NDA retains power, are DK Aruna and Eatala Rajender, both former ministers at the state level. Aruna and Rajender have been fielded by the BJP from Mahbubnagar and Malkajgiri Lok Sabha seats. While campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections, a few national-level BJP leaders expressed the view that Rajender has bright chances of a Cabinet post in the NDA government. Meanwhile, Congress candidates are also quite optimistic that the INDIA bloc will come to power at the Centre and they may be picked for a Cabinet berth, either as Union minister or minister of state. Congress Mahabubabad candidate P Balaram Naik, who served as minister of state in the UPA-II dispensation, is confident of a second chance. The social equations in play also give him brighter chances than his party colleagues. Also hopeful of a Union Cabinet berth, if INDIA bloc comes to power, are Suresh Shetkar, T Jeevan Reddy and Ch Vamshi Chand. Incidentally, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had announced during campaigning that if the people of Nizamabad send Jeevan Reddy to Parliament, there is a realistic chance of him becoming the Union agriculture minister. Many players in game of thrones Both NDA and INDIA blocs are claiming that they are ahead and would form the government at the Centre Candidates from both the Congress and BJP candidates are confident of victory and are fancying their chances of making it to the Union Cabinet However, clarity will only emerge on who from Telangana makes it to the Union Cabinet after the votes are counted and the next government at the Centre takes shape

No-Trust Motion Against Yellareddy Civic Body Chief

NIZAMABAD: A no-confidence motion will be moved against Yellareddy municipal chairman Kudumula Satyanarayana on May 18. Of the 12 municipal councillors, 11 cutting the party lines had raised objections over the continuation of Satyanarayana in the post. Following the directives of district collector Jithesh V. Patil, Yellareddy, municipal officials made arrangements to hold a special meeting on Saturday. To protect his post, Satyanarayana resigned from the BRS and joined the Congress. Two BRS municipal councillors also joined the Congress along with Satyanarayana. The municipal councillors went for vacation at Manali and they will reach Yellareddy municipal office to participate in the no-confidence motion meeting. On the other hand, the High Court granted permission to conduct a no-confidence motion meeting in Yellareddy municipality on May 18 and told officials not to declare the result. The vote will be taken by raising of hands. Municipal officials are making arrangements for the session and police will make tight security arrangements for the special meeting.

Moderate rain or thundershowers likely to occur in Telangana from May 17 to 24: IMD

Hyderabad: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday said light to moderate rain or thundershowers were very likely to occur at a few places in Telangana from May 17 to May 24 till 8.30 am. In its seven-day forecast and farmers weather bulletin, the IMD said heavy rain was likely to occur at isolated places in KomaramBheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Jayashankar Bhupalapally, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Warangal, Hanamkonda, Nagarkurnool districts of Telangana on May 18. According to IMD, thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and gusty winds with 40 to 50 kmph is likely to occur at isolated places in Komarambheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalapally, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Mahabubabad, Warangal, Hanamkonda, Jangaon, Yadadri Bhuvangiri, Rangareddy, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy districts of Telangana. Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and gusty winds with 30 to 40 kmph is likely to occur at isolated places in Nirmal, Nizamabad, Jagital, Rajanna Sircilla, Karimnagar, Siddipet, Hyderabad, Medchal Malkajigiri, Vikarabad, Sangareddy, Medak, Kamareddy, Mahabubnagar, Narayanpet, Jogulamba-Gadwal districts Telangana. Light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely to occur at isolated places over Telangana from May 19 to 24. The IMD said the impact of the rain would result in water pooling on roads and low lying, traffic congestion at many locations in addition to wet and slippery roads, besides falling of trees and electric poles and drainage clogging. In its advice, it asked the municipal department to display the warnings and necessary action for clearing water apart from issuing necessary advisory by road, rail traffic departments for traffic regulation. The disaster response force may be advised to take necessary action.

BRS keeps up the pressure with protests against anti-farmer govt

HYDERABAD: Responding to the call given by BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao, party cadre and leaders staged protests across the state against the anti-farmer attitude of the state government. However, several top leaders of the party, including former MLAs, skipped the protest programmes. BRS leaders Gangula Kamalakar, Kotha Prabhakar Reddy and other local leaders participated in the protests in their respective districts. The BRS leaders demanded that the government provide Rs 500 bonus to all the paddy farmers, irrespective of the variety of the paddy they produced. They also urged the government to purchase Rabi paddy on a war-footing and implement the crop loan waiver schemed as assured by the Congress in its poll manifesto. The BRS leaders and cadre, along with local body representatives, also staged a protest in several Assembly constituencies in Nizamabad and Kamareddy districts. In Nizamabad, a protest was staged at the old district collectors office grounds. ZP chairman D Vital Rao and Nizamabad Mayor Dandu Nithu Kiran were present on the occasion. Protests were also staged across the erstwhile Adilabad district. Asifabad BRS MLA Kova Laxmi led the protest staged on National High in Kumurambheem-Asifabad district. Speaking on the occasion, she said: Before the elections, the Congress gave an assurance to farmers that it will provide Rs 500 bonus for every quintal of paddy. But it forgot that promise after forming the government. In Karimnagar, local MLA Gangula Kamalakar led a protest staged at his residence. Karimnagar Mayor Y Sunil Rao and other party activists took part in the protest. Speaking on the occasion, Kamalakar said: The Congress government is not in a position to implement the Rythu Bharosa scheme and waive crop loans. The Congress secured votes and came to power by making false promises. It is now adopting anti-farmer policies.

Focus shifts to appointment of new Telangana Congress chief, Cabinet expansion

HYDERABAD: Now that the Telangana phase of the Lok Sabha elections is past, the talk in Congress corridors has shifted to the possibility of a new PCC president and expansion of the Cabinet. In all likelihood, the Congress high command will ask Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to step down as TPCC president by the end of June or the first week of July so that a leader from the BC community can succeed him in the post. If one goes by the animated discussions in Congress circles, senior leaders like Campaign Committee chairman Madhu Yaskhi Goud, Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, MLC and working president Mahesh Kumar Goud are the front-runners for the TPCC chief post. On other hand, AICC secretary SA Sampath Kumar and TPCC working president T Jayaprakash Reddy alias Jagga Reddy are also expecting the post. According to sources in the Congress, the high command is contemplating appointing a leader from the BC community for the TPCC president post since the chief minister is from the Reddy community. A BC leader being appointed as the TPCC chief would balance the social equations. This was the setup in the Congress during the tenure of the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy as chief minister in undivided Andhra Pradesh when Dharmapuri Srinivas was the PCC chief. Meanwhile, speculation regarding the expansion of the state Cabinet continues to echo in Congress corridors, with party leaders talking about who would be the fortunate ones to fill the six vacant positions. According to sources in the Gandhi Bhavan, the high command is expected to give the green light to the chief minister to expand his Cabinet in the third or last week of June, after the results of the Lok Sabha elections are announced. Currently, there is no representation from Rangareddy, Adilabad, Nizamabad and Hyderabad districts in the Cabinet and MLAs from these regions remain optimistic about their chances. Former minister and Bodhan MLA P Sudharshan Reddy, Ibrahimpatnam MLA Malreddy Ranga Reddy and Devarakonda MLA Balu Naik, along with first-time Makthal MLA V Srihari, are among those hoping for a Cabinet berth. From Adilabad, the contenders include Mancherial MLA Prem Sagar, former minister and Bellampalli MLA G Vinod, and first-time Khanapur MLA Edma Bojju. Interestingly, Congress leaders are discussing, albeit in private, about the chances of newly joined and soon-to-join MLAs from the BRS. From the BRS migrants, former deputy chief minister Kadiyam Srihari and former minister Danam Nagender could make it to the Cabinet. Additionally, there is talk that BRS MLAs might be accommodated in key positions such as corporation or board chairmanships if they join the Congress with certain assurances. This possibility has already sparked heated debates regarding the priority to migrants over leaders who have served the Congress for a long time. The coming two months are expected to witness a flurry of political activity in the state in the form of the expected Cabinet expansion and migrations of MLAs from the BRS. Contenders for Cabinet berths Former minister and Bodhan MLA P Sudharshan Reddy, Ibrahimpatnam MLA Malreddy Ranga Reddy and Devarakonda MLA Balu Naik, along with first-time MLA V Srihari from Makthal, are among those hoping for a Cabinet berth.

Agri officer caught while accepting Rs 30,000 bribe in Telangana

HYDERABAD: The ACB, on Thursday, caught an agricultural officer from Narsapur mandal in Medak, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000 and subsequently arrested him. According to officials, the accused, B Anil Kumar, had demanded the bribe from one Vanga Naren of Nizamabad, the complainant, to process the application for the issuance of a trade licence. Back to original job: CV Anand Taking to X, ACB Director General CV Anand, on Thursday, said, Lot of staff and officers of ACB were on election duty. Theyve come back now to do their original job.

BRS Stages Protest Demanding Bonus for Paddy

Nizamabad/Kamareddy : BRS leaders and activists staged protests in Nizamabad and Kamareddy districts on Thursday, demanding Rs.500 as bonus for paddy. In response to a call given by the BRS high command, former MLAs and other senior leaders took part in the rasta roko and dharna programmes. In Kamareddy, former government whip Gampa Govardhan staged a rasta roko at Nizamsagar cross roads against the anti-farmer policies of the Congress government. BRS activists also staged dharna demanding a payment of Rs.500 as bonus to farmers for the common variety paddy. They raised slogans against chief minister A Revanth Reddy and the state government. Speaking at the dharna, Gampa Govardhan said the Congress government cheated the farmers by assuring them a hike in Rythu Bandhu, bonus for paddy, and procurement of paddy by ensuring a minimum support price. The former BRS MLA warned that the party would intensify the agitation if the Congress government failed to resolve the problems of farmers. In Nizamabad, the BRS staged a dharna at Dharna chowk near the municipal corporation office on Thursday. Zilla Parishad chairman Dadannagari Vittal Rao, mayor Dandu Neethu Kiran, Nizamabad urban development authority former chairman C Prabhakar Reddy and other leaders were present. Similar protests were held in all the assembly constituencies in both the districts.

RTC seized BRS ex-MLAs Jeevan Mall for default of lease amount

Nizamabad : TSRTC officials seized the Jeevan Mall, owned by former Armoor MLA and BRS Nizamabad district president Ashannagari Jeevan Reddy on Thursday for defaulting Rs 2.51-crore lease amount. Following the directives of the Telangana High Court, officials issued a notice on May 9 asking the management to clear the default amount. In view of non-payment of the default amount, the officials seized the Jeevan Mall and locked the main gate. The RTC officials shifted the traders and customers from the Jeevan Mall premises. Jeevan Mall is located in Armoor bus stand premises and it consists of a commercial complex and multiplex. To collect the Rs 3.50 crore default amount, RTC and police officials visited the Jeevan Mall on May 9 and the public announcement system stated that they would seize the Mall with immediate effect. But after one week, the officials seized the Jeevan Mall. TSRTC leased out 7,000 square feet of prime land to Vishwajeet Infra Developers Private Limited. Former MLA Jeevan Reddy and his family members rented out the Jeevan Mall to various corporate companies and others. The lease agreement was finalised in 2013 for a 33-year period. Following the default of electricity bills and lease amount, the officials earlier also issued notices to the management. Jeevan Mall owners approached the High Court and it directed them to pay the default amount within one month. The last date for the court grant was completed on May 6. TSRTC MD V.C. Sajjanar said that they cancelled the lease agreement between TSRTC and Vishwajeeth Infra due to default in lease amount. After issuing several notices, the Jeevan Mall management failed to clear the dues. However, former BRS MLA Jeevan Reddy made allegations against RTC MD

Agri officer caught red-handed while taking Rs 30K

Hyderabad : ACB sleuths on Thursday arrested the Narsapur mandal agricultureofficer while he was accepting a bribe for doing official work. According to ACB officials, B. Anil Kumkar was caught red-handed by the ACB while he was accepting Rs 30,000 from the complainant B. Naren, a resident of Nizamabad district, for processing his application and issuance of a trade licence in the name of Shiva Shakti Agro Agencies in Narsapur. ACB officials seized the bribe amount from the accused and tested the cash with chemical-laced water when it was confirmed that he had received money. Later, Kumkar was arrested and sent to judicial custody.

Cabinet Expansion After Local Bodies Polls in July

HYDERABAD: With the conclusion of polling for Lok Sabha elections in Telangana on May 13, the focus in the Congress circles has shifted to the expansion of the five-month-old A. Revanth Reddy Cabinet. While the buzz was that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy would expand the Cabinet after the Lok Sabha election results in June, party sources ruled out such a possibility until rural local body polls are over in June or July. Elections to three-tier panchayat raj institutions gram panchayats, mandal parishads and zilla parishads are key to the power pyramid of the state and are likely to be held in the last week of June or the first week of July. As per Constitutional norms, the size of Telangana Cabinet should not exceed 18 including the Chief Minister. Currently, there are 12 members in the Cabinet at present including the Chief Minister. This allows the Chief Minister to induct six more ministers in the Cabinet. There is no representation for old Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Nizamabad and Adilabad districts in the cabinet. Sources said the party high command will assess the performance of ministers and MLAs based on the results in the Lok Sabha polls and local bodies polls. There are chances of dropping or reshuffling portfolios of a few ministers based on their performance and MLAs who secured better results for the Congress in the Lok Sabha and local bodies polls will be rewarded with cabinet berths, the sources explained.. After dethroning the 10-year old BRS government in Assembly polls held in November 2023, the Congress formed the government in Telangana for the first time on December 7. Revanth Reddy and 11 ministers took oath at LB Stadium on December 7. Since then, speculations surfaced several times that there would be cabinet expansion anytime but it did not materialise as the party high command was focussed on the Lok Sabha polls. At present, old Khammam district has the highest representation, with three ministers Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and Tummala Nageshwar Rao coming from the district. Erstwhile united Nalgonda, Warangal and Karimnagar districts are represented by two ministers. Nalgonda is represented by N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, Warangal is represented by Konda Surekha and Danasari Anasuya (Seethakka), while Karimnagar is represented by Ponnam Prabhakar and Duddilla Sridhar Babu. Old Medak district has the sole representation of Damodar Rajanarasimha. In Hyderabad district, there is no MLA from the Congress and the party might consider MLAs from the BRS for the Cabinet berth if they join the Congress. From Rangareddy, senior Congress MLAs T. Ram Mohan Reddy (Parigi) and Malreddy Ranga Reddy (Ibrahimpatnam) are in the race for cabinet berth. The Chief Minister is also planning to hold the Legislative Assembly session in July-end or early-August to present a full budget for 2024-25. The Assembly passed vote-on-account or interim budget for 2024-25 in February in view of Lok Sabha polls. The CM plans to expand the cabinet before the Assembly session.

KTRs survey predicts seven seats for BRS in Telangana, one for Congress

HYDERABAD: A post-poll special survey commissioned by BRS working president KT Rama Rao has predicted that the pink party will secure as many as seven Lok Sabha seats and just one seat for the Congress. In an informal chat with the reporters here on Wednesday, he said: I have also conducted a special survey. According to this survey report, all the silent voters supported the BRS in the Lok Sabha elections. We are going to win seven seats while the Congress will be restricted to ust one seat Nalgonda. The Congress candidates have spent huge amount of money in this elections. But it is not going to help them, he said and added that Though I won as an MLA from Sircilla five times, I have not given even a single rupee as bribe to the voters. The BRS leader also mentioned the seven segments that his party, according to the survey report, is sure of winning. We will definitely win in Nagarkurnool, Secunderabad, Malkajgiri, Karimnagar, Khammam, Medak and Chevella. In Peddapalli, Adilabad and Nizamabad, the main contest was between the BRS and BJP, he said. Rama Rao also criticised the Congress selection of candidates. Does Suneetha Mahender Reddy have anything to do with Malkajgiri? Congress fielded her from Malkajgiri. It also gave a ticket to an unknown person (Velichala Rajeswara Rao) to take on (BJPs) Bandi Sanjay. In Nagarkurnool, candidates of other parties are no match to our candidate RS Praveen Kumar. After announcement of Praveen Kumars name, the equations completely changed, he said. In Khammam, the Kamma community will ensure our candidate Nama Nageshwar Raos victory, he added.

Temperature to dip further in Telangana after light rains

HYDERABAD: On Wednesday, the state experienced light rains and decreased mercury levels. Light rains and thundershowers with surface winds of around 40 kmph were experienced at isolated places in the districts of Jogulamba Gadwal, Kamareddy, Mahbubnagar, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Nalgonda, Narayanpet, Nizamabad, Siddipet and Vikarabad as per IMD reports. The IMD said that a cyclonic circulation lies over east Vidarbha and surrounding regions at 0.9 km above mean sea level, and under its influence, the state will experience light to moderate rains or thundershowers with gusty winds at isolated places. A yellow alert has been issued for the same for most of the districts till May 19. As of Wednesday, the maximum temperatures remained well below 43C with the highest maximum temperature of 42.3C in Jagtial, while the citys highest maximum temperature was 39.9C in Kapra. The maximum temperatures are expected to further drop below 40C in the next five days and the state has moved from orange to yellow alert for the same. The city, in the next 48 hours is very likely to experience light to moderate rains or thunderstorms and gusty winds of around 30-40 kmph, while maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 37C and 26C respectively.

Urban Voter Apathy Continues in Nizamabad Segment

Nizamabad: The Nizamabad Urban Assembly constituency reported the lowest turnout in Parliament elections this time. Of the seven Assembly constituencies, Balkonda topped the polling with a 74.75 per cent turnout and Nizamabad Urban polled 61.83 per cent. As usual, urban voters did not show much interest in the polls. The voting percentage in the minority areas also decreased this time. The Election Commissions efforts to get the maximum voters to polling booths failed. Under the Nizamabad LS constituency, Nizamabad Urban is an exclusive urban assembly segment. Before the delimitation of the assembly constituency, Nizamabad had 19 villages in the Nizamabad mandal. After delimitation, Nizamabad turned into an exclusively urban constituency, which covers Nizamabad municipal corporation limits. Nizamabad has been the district headquarters for more than a century and it has a population of around five lakh urbanites. Many people came and settled down in the town for education, employment, and other needs areas in the undivided Nizamabad district. The minority population is sizable in the town. Muslims from neighbouring Bhainsa, Bhokar, Nanded, Biloli, etc came and set up homes in the town. To garner the support of voters, the Congress, BJP and BRS leaders conducted the intensified campaign in all 60 municipal divisions. In the last assembly elections, the polling was at 61.67 per cent in Nizamabad urban. The trend continued in the LS polls this time. Of the total 3,04,317 votes, 1,88,159 votes (61.83 per cent) were polled in the town. Congress leaders focussed both on majority and minority voters. Party leaders in Nizamabad approached Muslim elders and others and sought their support in favour of the LS candidate T Jeevan Reddy. BJPs LS candidate Arvind Dharmapuri, also concentrated on Nizamabad urban assembly constituency and encouraged the party cadre to work hard in sensitive polling stations. Both BJP and Congress leaders are confident of a win.

Telangana farmers urge officials to immediately purchase rain-affected paddy

Hyderabad: Scores of farmers from Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district requested the district administration to buy paddy, which became wet due to unseasonal downpour that lashed the State a few days ago, keeping in view the financial problems being faced by them. Carrying wet paddy bags, these farmers hailing from Akuthotabavi thanda in the district staged a demonstration at the Collectorate office demanding the government purchase paddy at the earliest and bail them out of the financial problems. They urged the administration to come to their rescue and start the process of buying paddy from the procurement centres. They said that they were in a confused state whether the government would purchase rain affected paddy and added that further delay in procuring it has become a cause of concern for them. When the police came to disperse them, the distressed farmers, especially women, touched their feet requesting to use their good office in purchasing paddy soon. Farmers are facing problems because of the delay in procuring paddy that became wet due to sudden rains. Farmers in erstwhile Nizamabad, Karimnagar and Adilabad bore the brunt of the unseasonal rains.

Persistent showers lead to dip in temperature in Telangana

HYDERABAD: Persisting showers have led to a slight dip in maximum temperatures in Telangana. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Hyderabad reported that a cyclonic circulation lies over west Vidarbha and neighbouring areas at 0.9 km above mean sea level. As per the Telangana State Development Planning Society (TSDPS), the states highest maximum temperature on Tuesday was 41.10C recorded at Velgatoor in Jagtial, followed by 40.80C in Nizamabad and 40.70C in Karimnagar, while Bhadradri Kothagudem, Nalgonda and Peddapalli recorded 40.30C. Within the GHMC limits the highest maximum temperature stood at 39.30C at Asifnagar. Weather forecast As thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are expected to persist in Telangana, IMD-Hyderabad has issued a yellow alert in the state till May 18. On Wednesday, precipitation is very likely to occur at isolated places in Adilabad, Kumurambheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam, Rangareddy, Hyderabad, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Vikarabad and Sangareddy districts. According to the IMD, Hyderabad is likely to receive light rain or thundershowers towards the evening or at night for the next 48 hours. Maximum and minimum temperatures in the city are likely to be around 390C and 270C respectively with wind speeds around 6 to 10 kmph, IMD-Hyderabad added. (Citizens can reach out to 040-21111111 or 9000113667 for GHMC - Disaster Response Force (DRF) for assistance.)

I see Congress victory in 13 seats: Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy

HYDERABAD: Exuding confidence that the Congress will win 13 of the 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday said that there will be an increase in the ruling partys vote share. He, however, said that the party may be limited to nine seats if the BRS conspiracies worked out. The chief minister reviewed the voting trends based on the survey reports and feedback from party functionaries. We dont know what BRS has done in the election. It becomes a little difficult to assess the election without knowing what they (BRS) have done. But BRS candidates will lose their security deposits in six seats, Revanth told reporters during an informal interaction at his residence. Stating that the BRS made the saffron party a viable political force in the state, he said that the pink partys approach of zero opposition paved the way for the rise of the BJP in Telangana. Revanth reiterated that the BJP was likely to get 220 seats across India, with the margin of error in his assessment being 10%. Earlier in the day, the TPCC chiefs office indicated that the Congress would win in Nalgonda, Bhongir, Khammam, Warangal, Mahabubabad, Peddapalli, Nizamabad, Mahbubnagar, Nagarkurnool, Medak, Zaheerabad, Chevella and Secunderabad constituencies. New ration cards soon Stating that the state government will soon start accepting applications for new ration cards, the chief minister said that his administration will procure agricultural produce directly from farmers and supply it to holders of ration cards at subsidised prices. Stating that the time for politics has ended, Revanth said that accepting applications for ration cards, which was stopped during the BRS regime, would be a continuous process. BRS will bag more seats in Telangana than other parties: KT Rama Rao Responding to news reports that the L& T will be backing out of the Hyderabad Metro Rail due to free bus scheme, the chief minister made it clear that Mahalakshmi scheme providing free bus travel to women will not be stopped at any cost. He opined that they would look into the comments of L&T. My government is committed to giving superfine rice to holders of food security cards. Generally, farmers are interested in producing a coarse variety of rice given its high yield. By giving remunerative prices, we would encourage farmers to go for superfine variety of rice, oil seeds, turmeric, sugar and other essential commodities. We will provide the same superfine quality of rice and other essential supplies to food security card holders at subsidised prices. We will prepare an indent of the required items and quantity. The state will bear the subsidy cost, Revanth said, during an informal chat with reporters at his residence here. Time for governance The chief minister said that with the conclusion of polling for the Lok Sabha elections, he has now shifted his focus to governance, administration, welfare, development, implementation of the farm loan waiver, procurement of soaked paddy, supplying textbooks and uniforms to students, bringing reforms in the educational sector among other things. As far as I am concerned, politics have come to an end. The time for allegations and counter allegations is over. My focus is governance, education, agriculture, and agriculture loans. Let critics think what they may, I dont care, Revanth said. He confirmed that he would resume work from the state Secretariat. The chief minister also said that he would appoint education and agriculture commissions for the purpose of regulation. He maintained that the state government would float Agriculture Welfare Corporation enabling it with income generation to waive farm loans. The chief minister also said that the government will appoint Vice-Chancellors to all the universities in the state after the Model Code of Conduct is lifted. He also expressed his inclination to hold an all-party meeting to which civil society organisations will be invited to discuss public issues and frame state policies. Responding to a question on who would win in Andhra Pradesh, Revanth said that his government would maintain a cordial relationship with the administration in the neighbouring state regardless of which party is elected to power in the best interest of the people of Telangana. Phone-tapping etc Reacting to a question on the phone-tapping case, the chief minister said that the state government will discuss the matter in the Assembly. He also disclosed that the Formula E case was also under investigation. Asked about the expansion of his Cabinet, the chief minister said that the party high command has to take a decision to this effect. He, however, hinted that an SC, ST, BC and an OBC may fill the six vacancies. Peoples verdict to determine future of Telangana politics

BRS will bag more seats in Telangana than other parties: KT Rama Rao

RAJANNA-SIRCILLA: Claiming that former Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Raos bus yatra had turned the tide in favour of the BRS in the Lok Sabha polls, partys BRS working president KT Rama Rao on Tuesday said that his party would secure more number of seats than the BJP and Congress. Speaking to the media in Sircilla, he alleged that CM A Revanth Reddy fielded dummy candidates in seven seats to favour the BJP. The Congress and BJP fight in Delhi but here in Telangana these parties work hand in glove. Most of the candidates fielded by the BJP and Congress were parachute leaders and some of them changed loyalties from the BRS, he said. The Congress candidate in Karimnagar (Velichala Rajender Rao) is not well-known. It forced T Jeevan Reddy to contest from Nizamabad though he was more interested in contesting from Karimnagar. In Secunderabad too, the Congress fielded a dummy candidate (Danam Nagender). Revanth Reddy strived more than Kishan Reddy to ensure victory of BJP candidates, Rama Rao said. Stating that neither the NDA nor INDIA bloc will get enough seats to form government at the Centre, he said: After peoples verdict is announced on June 4, regional parties will play a key role in the formation of the Union government.

Congress, BJP confident of securing Adilabad, Nizamabad seats

ADILABAD/ NIZAMABAD: A day after the voting process for the Lok Sabha elections ended in Telangana, both the Congress and BJP leaders on Tuesday claimed that their respective candidates are all set to secure seats. While a few leaders of these parties expressed confidence that they are set to win the seats, the others started celebrating in advance though the peoples verdict will be announced by the Election Commission of India only on June 4. Some even distributed sweets among the cadre and residents. In Adilabad Lok Sabha segment, the BJP leaders, led by local MLA Payal Shankar, distributed sweets as they were very confident that the electors voted in favour of their candidate G Nagesh. His rival Atram Suguna of the Congress too expressed confidence in securing the seat. Meanwhile, Congress candidate T Jeevan Reddy said that he will emerge winner in the Nizamabad constituency by a margin of over one lakh votes. Speaking to reporters in Nizamabad, Jeevan claimed that the voters were unhappy with sitting BJP MP Dharmapuri Arvind and hence supported him in Mondays election. Jeevan, confident that he will be declared the winner on June 4, promised to work hard to ensure that Nizamabad gets smart city status. Meanwhile, BJP Nizamabad district unit chief Dinesh Kumar Kulachari said that saffron party candidate Dharmapuri Arvind will surely be re-elected as an MP with a huge majority. Speaking to the media after assessing the polling trends in the segment, he said: There was an increase in polling percentage as compared to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. This indicates that people, cutting across party lines, have voted for BJP.

Monsoon on Time in Telangana: IMD

Hyderabad : As the country awaits the arrival of the rainy season, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday forecast its probable advance into the South Andaman Sea, parts of southeast Bay of Bengal, and Nicobar Islands by May 19. It is possible that the monsoon could arrive over the state on schedule, after its onset in Kerala on June 1. The monsoon would reach Rayalaseema around June 6 and then reach Telangana. Last year, the monsoon entered the South Andaman sea on May 19. An IMD report in April had said that the monsoon showers between June and September were likely to be above normal, at 106 per cent of the long period average (LPA), over the southern peninsula. Telangana along with any parts of the southern states and Goa are expected to witness scattered to widespread rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds ranging from 30-50 kmph during this period. In Telangana, the IMD-Hyderabad issued a yellow alert for various districts, predicting thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds. The weather pattern is expected to affect multiple regions including Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and several others, posing potential challenges for residents. On Wednesday, thunderstorms with 30-40 kmph winds are expected in isolated areas across Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Medchal-Malkajigiri, Vikarabad, Sangareddy, Adilabad, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Jayashankar Bhupalapally, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem and Khammam, districts. Similar conditions are forecast for the following days, with increased wind speeds reaching up to 50 kmph in some regions. On May 16, districts such as Jagital, Rajanna Sirsilla, Karimnagar, and Peddapalli are expected to experience heightened storm activity. As the week progresses, the IMD continues to caution against potential disruptions due to severe weather conditions. For Hyderabad and its neighbourhood, the IMD predicted a partly cloudy sky with light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by gusty winds in the evening or night over the next 24 hours. The maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to be around 37C and 27C respectively, with surface winds likely to be easterlies at speeds of 6-40 kmph. The forecast for the subsequent 48 hours indicates similar weather patterns, with temperatures hovering around 39C during the day and 27C at night, and south-easterly winds prevailing.

Hyderabad: Worker Dies After End of Polling

Nizamabad : A 35-year-old who came to work instead of his ailing mother, a village revenue assistant (VRA), during Mondays elections died of a heart attack after voting ended, officials said. VRAs are engaged for drafting work at distribution centres. According to sources, Sadiq Ali, 35, of Dharpally reached Christian Medical College (CMC) building at Dichpally to work on Monday night. His mother was suffering from health problems, officials said. Sadiq Ali fell unconscious and was shifted to a private hospital where he died. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle , Rajiv Gandhi Hanumanthu, Nizamabad parliamentary constituency returning officer and district collector, said that an inquiry had been ordered into the death of Sadiq Ali. Nizamabad Rural Assembly segment returning officer will submit a report in this regard, he said. After receiving the report, further action would be initiated.

Lok Sabha Polls: Telangana records 64.93 per cent voter turnout

Hyderabad: Telangana recorded voter turnout of 64.93 per cent in the Lok Sabha Elections on Monday. 17 constituencies in the State went to polls, where Bhongir recorded the highest voter turnout with 76.47% and Hyderabad had the least voting percentage with 46.08%. The urban constituencies Hyderabad, Malkajgiri, Secunderabad and Chevella recorded the least voter turnout. 10 out of the 17 constituencies recorded more than 70% voter turnout. There was a slight increase in the voter turnout compared to 2019 Lok Sabha polls in Telangana. In 2019, 62.77 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the State. Bypoll was held in Secunderabad cantonment due to the death of the sitting legislator. 50.34% voter turnout was recorded in the assembly constituency. Here are the voter turnout in the 17 constituencies: Adilabad - 72.96% Peddapalli - 67.88% Karimnagar - 72.33% Nizamabad - 71.50% Zaheerabad - 74.54% Medak - 74.38% Malkajgiri - 50.12% Secunderabad - 48.11% Hyderabad - 46.08% Chevella - 55.45% Mahbubnagar - 71.54% Nagarkurnool - 68.86% Nalgonda - 73.78% Bhongir - 76.47% Warangal - 68.29% Mahabubabad - 70.68% Khammam - 75.19%

Hyderabad voters show apathy in voting, again

HYDERABAD: Once again, Hyderabad District voters have exposed their slackness when it comes to polling despite the government declaring a holiday for voting purposes. Voter turnout for 15 Assembly constituencies in Hyderabad covering two Lok Sabha constituencies, Hyderabad and Secunderabad and partly Malkajgiri Lok Sabha constituency was abysmally low and failed to cross even 55%. Despite the ECI increasing the polling time by an additional one hour, the voters did not show interest in turning up to the booths to cast their votes. All other Lok Sabha constituencies Adilabad (ST), Peddapalli (SC), Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Zaheerabad, Medak, Chevella, Mahabubnagar, Nagarkurnool (SC), Nalgonda, Bhongir, Waranagal (SC), Mahabubabad (ST) and Khammam polled over 60%. Due to the three day holidays in a row from May 11 to 13, thousands of voters have taken advantage of these holidays, skipped the polling and went for vacation with families to beat the sweltering heat. Also, the impact of simultaneous polls to Assembly and Lok Sabha in Andhra Pradesh which coincides with Telangana Lok Sabha on Monday was felt in Hyderabad. Many voters of Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions who live in Hyderabad had left the city enmasse to their respective places in AP to vote. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the polling percentage in Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency was 44.84% while in Secunderabad Lok Sabha constituency, the polling percentage was 46.51%. In Assembly elections held in November 2023, Hyderabad district recorded 47% of polling. However, this time, the approximate polling percentage in Hyderabad was 46.08%, followed by 48.11% in Secunderabad Lok Sabha constituency, and 50.12% in the Malkajgiri Lok Sabha constituency. Despite creating large-scale awareness among the voters about Right to Vote through Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) activities, the citizens failed to show any interest to go to polling booths to cast their votes. As per the reports, around 47%- 48% of the voting was done in Hyderabad. Authorities feel that Hyderabad voters are active when it comes to criticising politicians and politics in general on social media, but go numb when it comes to casting their votes. Owing to Section 144 imposed on the occasion of polling day, Charminar wears a deserted look A burqa-clad woman shows her finger marked with indelible ink after casting her vote at a polling booth at Refah-E-Aam High School in Hyderabad A kid outside a polling booth waits for his parents to cast their vote in the city A view of a polling booth at Raj Bhavan Road A poll volunteer helps an elderly man get to the booth in Hyderabad on Monday

Rural Telangana celebrates festival of democracy with gusto

ADILABAD/ SANGAREDDY/ NIZAMABAD/NALGONDA: Voter turnout saw a marked increase in the Adilabad Lok Sabha constituency compared to the 2019 elections. Despite the scorching weather, voters turned out in large numbers, forming queues early in the morning to cast their ballots. Rural and agency areas particularly witnessed high voter participation, with many voters returning to their fieldwork after voting. However, pockets of dissent were observed in certain villages, where residents boycotted the elections citing grievances such as lack of infrastructure and unresolved compensation issues. After officials intervened and assured them of a resolution to their grievances, some villages eventually cast their votes. Political tensions also simmered, with confrontations reported between Congress and BJP men at polling stations. Allegations of campaigning within polling premises led to heated exchanges in some places. Zakir Pasha, a person with disabilities, cast his vote using his legs at the forest office polling station in Kagaznagar Mandal. Malpractice allegations Medak and Zaheerabad constituencies witnessed a flurry of political activity as voters queued up at polling centres to exercise their franchise. However, amidst the democratic process, incidents of alleged malpractice surfaced. Reports of mandal-level leaders purportedly distributing money along with polling slips surfaced. A video clip that went viral on social media showed a former sarpanch allegedly offering money along with voter slips in Alipur village of Aminpur Mandal. Off the record, some leaders said that they expect a close contest in the Medak parliamentary constituency and a very narrow margin deciding the fate of the victor. People shield themselves with an umbrella as they venture to cast their vote at a polling station in Karimnagar Meanwhile, stray incidents of heated arguments between supporters of various political parties were reported in Narayankhed and Siddipet towns of Sangareddy district. Nagesh Shetkar, brother of the Zaheerabad Lok Sabha seat candidate Suresh Kumar Shetkar allegedly kicked a BJP worker in Narayankhed following which a huge row erupted. The police have registered a case against both groups. Followers of MLA Palla Rajeshwar Reddy and former MLA K Pratap Reddy resorted to slogan shouting at a polling centre in Cherial Girls High School when the two leaders reached there at the same time. Former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao cast his vote along with his wife K Shobha in his native Chinta Madaka village of Siddipet rural mandal. Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha along with his daughter voted in Jogipet town. Former minister T Harish Rao and his family members cast their vote in Siddipet town. Sangareddy district collector Valluru Kranthi cast her vote in Sangareddy. Voters queued up at the polling centres from early morning in the erstwhile Medak district and 50% to 60% polling was recorded in most parts of the district by 1 pm and 71.91% polling was recorded in Medak parliamentary constituency and 71.33% in Zaheerabad by 5 pm. However, officials estimate that nearly 80% polling is expected in erstwhile Medak. A disabled man casts his vote in Sirpur Kagaznagar of Kumurambheem Asifabad district on Monday Over 67% vote in Nizamabad In Nizamabad, the enthusiasm for voting was palpable as a significant number of voters turned out to cast their ballots. Across Jagtial and Nizamabad districts, over 67% of voters participated in the democratic exercise by 5 pm. Notably, people from diverse backgrounds, including transgenders and persons with disabilities actively engaged in the electoral process. The administrations efforts to facilitate voting, such as modal polling stations and assistance desks, contributed to the smooth conduct of the elections. Despite the political fervour, life continued as usual in towns and villages, with people attending to their daily routines, including agricultural activities. A smooth affair Polling in Nalgonda and Bhuvanagiri parliamentary constituencies ended smoothly on Monday, with poll officials putting the tentative percentage at 70.36 and 72 respectively. Voters cast their vote in 2,061 polling centres in seven Assembly constituencies of Nalgonda Lok Sabha and 2,141 booths in seven Assembly segments of Bhuvanagiri Lok Sabha constituency. Officials said that provisionally, 70.36% polling was recorded in Nalgonda Lok Sabha and 72% in Bhuvanagiri till 5 pm. Police officials said that no untoward incident was reported from either constituency. Meanwhile, farmers protested with grain bags at a polling booth in Kanumukkala village of Bhudampochampally mandal demanding that they will exercise their right to vote only if the government promises to buy their soaked grain. After sopme time, the state administration intervened and convinced the farmers to exercise their right to vote.

Mixed voter turnout perplexes candidates from Telangana

HYDERABAD: The elections for the Lok Sabha seats in Telangana held on Monday have thrown up several questions as to which party will gain and which party will lose amid varied poll percentages recorded across the state and reports of loyalists of one outfit backing others. For instance, the low poll percentage recorded in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation limits is giving tense moments to the candidates of the three main parties as they fancied their chances if a large number of voters exercised their franchise. The parties are expecting a neck-and-neck fight in districts where the poll percentage has crossed 60 per cent. Secunderabad, Malkajgiri and Hyderabad constituencies have reported below or around 50 per cent voter turnout, leaving the candidates worried. In Secunderabad, a close contest was expected between Danam Nagender of the Congress, BJPs G Kishan Reddy and Padma Rao Goud of the BRS. But with poll percentages plunging and Muslims and Basti residents constituting a considerable percentage of voters, the picture has become blurred. Hyderabad constituency too recorded an abysmally low voter turnout. Both Asaduddin Owaisi of the AIMIM and Madhavi Latha of the BJP campaigned aggressively ahead of the elections. Leaders of both parties made last-minute attempts to prod voters to exercise their franchise but in vain. Voters lukewarm response has left a shadow on both camps. LS polls: Over 64% cast vote in Telangana 50% turnout in Malkajgiri Similarly in Malkajgiri constituency which recorded around 50 per cent voter turnout, the picture is hazy. Though the main contest is expected between BJP Eatala Rajender and Patnam Suneetha Lakshma Reddy of the Congress, the BRS is expected to gain from the splitting of votes. Eatala and Suneetha have high hopes of winning the seat, but the low poll percentage is a worrying factor. In 14 constituencies outside the state capital, the scenario is different as voter turnout was much better. According to political analysts, the contest is neck and neck between the BJP and Congress in some segments and between the ruling party and BRS in a few others. There is a triangular fight between the three in some constituencies. In Adilabad and Nizamabad, the fight is clearly between the Congress and BJP candidates. In Karimnagar, a close race was predicted between the three main rivals, but the latest trends indicate its going to be Congress vs BJP. In Peddapalli, the BJP seems to have increased its vote share and is expected to give tough competition to Congress and BRS. Before the elections, there were indications of a fight between the BRS and the Congress. In Warangal, the BRS, which appeared to be out of the contest before the elections, seems to have improved its chances and is expected to give a tough fight to the Congress and the BJP rivals. Fairly good poll percentage In Mahabubabad segment In Mahabubabad, political observers predicted a straight fight between the grand old party and the pink party before the elections. With the segment recording a fairly good poll percentage, the BJP appears to have come back into the contest. Though its Congress vs BRS in Khammam, the BJP is likely to get a fair share of votes this time. In Nalgonda, political analysts see a Congress vs BJP and BRS contest and in Bhongir, its a competition between the Congress and BJP though the BRS may dominate in some pockets. In Medak, all three parties stand a chance and the winner may just scrape through. In Zaheerabad, its going to be a straight contest between the Congress and BJP with the BRS confined to a few pockets. Reports from Mahbubnagar suggest a neck-and-neck fight between the Congress and BJP with the BRS nowhere in the contest. In Nagarkurnool, the candidates of the three main parties are expected to fight it out and the margin of victory is likely to be small. In Chevella, an epic battle is on the cards between the BJPs Konda Vishweshwar Reddy and Congresss Ranjith Reddy. An interesting thing that happened in this election is likely to change the fortunes of the candidates. Votes of a particular party are said to have been split between candidates of the two other main outfits. Hence, candidates of one of the three main parties face the threat of losing deposits in some segments. In the event of that happening, there will be a question mark on the existence of the party. The outfit that gains can hope to consolidate its position for the next Assembly elections.

Moderate Weather Helps Voters in Telangana

Hyderabad : The weather remaining surprisingly moderate throughout the day on Monday, not too warm in most places and the rain largely holding off. In Hyderabad, the polling booths witnessed substantial crowds during the early hours and in the late afternoon. A voter even showed up with an umbrella, even though there was no rain, paying heed to the weather officials. Shops in the vicinity of polling stations offered cool drinks to those waiting to cast their ballots or cooling off after performing their civic duty. Across the state, temperatures were lower compared to the previous year when the mercury crossed 42C in all districts and reaching 45C in three places. On Monday, Jagtial was the warmest at 41.1C, closely followed by Nizamabad at 40.8C. Other districts registered temperatures above 40C. Hanamkonda had a maximum temperature of 38.3C. Storms brewed in the western suburbs of Hyderabad, covering areas from Patancheru to the Suchitra belt on Sunday night. The Meteorological Department forecast moderate-intense rains with thunderstorms in the early hours, which might have prompted voters to head to the polls earlier in the day. The skies remained largely clear, with only isolated showers reported in a few districts. The forecast of stormy conditions did not come to be.

Cases filed against BJP leaders for highhanded behaviour

Hyderabad: Mangalhat police registered a case against BJP MLA T. Raja Singh for misbehaving with a presiding officer at a polling station in Goshamahal here on Monday. Singh, who had gone to cast a vote in a polling station in Mangalhat, argued and reportedly abused the presiding officer. We have received a complaint against Raja Singh and booked a case of misbehaving with the presiding officer. We are investigating, a Mangalhat police officer said. Cases were booked against BJP leaders, including their Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat contestant Madhavi Latha and activists in the city apart in Adilabad and Nizamabad districts. BJP general secretary Bangaru Shruti lodged a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer stating that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had violated the model code of conduct by holding a press meet when polling was taking place in the state. In Nizamabad, BJP candidate Dharmapuri Arvind expressed anger over polling officials at a polling centre at Quilla road over verifying of voters identity. He entered the polling booth and asked officials how they were verifying hijab-clad women voters. He also took exception to the presence of those who had cast their votes. In Adilabad, Congress and CPI women leaders raised objections to local BJP MLA Payal Shankar and his supporters visiting the polling station wearing saffron kanduvas. Shankars associates asked the Congress women leaders why they wore a bindi at the polling station. Adilabad Assembly constituency Congress in-charge Kandi Srinivas Reddys wife Sai Mouna Reddy and CPI senior leader Nalini Reddy, who were election agents, picked up an argument with the BJP leaders. Police intervened and dispersed the two groups.

Lok Sabha Polls: Telangana records 52.34 per cent turnout till 3 pm

Hyderabad: Telangana on Monday recorded voter turnout of 52.34 per cent in the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections till 3 PM. Zaheerabad recorded the highest turnout with 63.69 per cent and Hyderabad had the least voting percentage at 29.47%. These are the voter turnouts in each constituencies: Adilabad - 62.44%, Peddapalli - 55.92%, Karimnagar - 58.24%, Nizamabad - 58.70%, Zaheerabad - 63.96%, Medak - 60.94%, Malkajgiri - 37.69%, Secunderabad - 34.58%, Hyderabad - 29.47%, Chevella - 45.35%, Mahbubnagar - 58.92%, Nagarkurnool - 57.17%, Nalgonda - 59.91%, Bhongir - 62.05%, Warangal - 54.17%, Mahabubabad - 61.40% and Khammam - 63.67%. Polling is underway in the State in 17 constituencies and it will end by 6 pm.

Political VIPs lead voting in Telangana

HYDERABAD: The voting for the Lok Sabha elections in Telangana on Monday saw several VIPs casting their ballots during the early hours of polling, and calling on people to exercise their franchise. Among those who voted before noon were Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, leader of the opposition and BRS party president K Chandrashekar Rao, and several other ministers, MPs, and MLAs across the state. Revanth Reddy, accompanied by his wife Geetha Reddy, and his daughter, cast his vote in the polling booth at the Zilla Parishad Boys High School in Kodangal in Mahabubnagar constituency, while Chandrashekar Rao, accompanied by his wife Shobha, voted in Chintamadaka village of Medak constituency. In Secunderabad constituency, BJP state president and candidate from the constituency voted at Deekhsha Model School booth in Barkatpura area, while in the Hyderabad constituency, AIMIM president and sitting MP Asaduddin Owaisi cast his vote at St Faiz School booth in Vattapally. The BJPs Madhavi Latha, who is squared off with Owaisi, voted in the Secunderabad Cantonment Assembly segment which is also seeing a bypoll for the MLA seat. Among those who were early voters included several ministers including Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Konda Surekha, Damodar Rajanarsihma, Seethakka, and Ponnam Prabhakar. Among the BJP leaders those who exercised their right to vote early were Bandi Sanjay Kumar in Karimnagar, Arvind Dharmapuri in Nizamabad, and Dr K Laxman in Musheerabad. Governor of Haryana Bandaru Dattatreya in the city for the election, accompanied by his family, cast his vote at the JV High School in Ramnagar area. Many BRS leaders including the party working president KT Rama Rao, senior leader T Harish Rao, and others too cast their votes early in the day.

Telangana: BJP candidate from Nizamabad, Arvind Dharmapuri says We are riding a wave after casting his vote

The News Mill

Poll ready: 590 additional TSRTC buses for districts, AP

HYDERABAD: In the wake of the Lok Sabha elections in the two Telugu states, the TSRTC has deployed an additional fleet of buses for the convenience of commuters travelling to their native place to vote. A total of 590 buses have been arranged for Andhra Pradesh so far and 140 services have been put up for advance reservation online on the Hyderabad-Vijayawada route. According to the officials, over 3,000 seats are available cumulatively in the buses. The Corporation is also running 1,500 additional buses from Hyderabad to the districts depending on the traffic of commuters. These buses are plying from Jubilee Bus Station, Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station, Uppal, LB Nagar, Aramghar and other terminals. Mahalakshmi scheme likely to influence voter turnout Nizamabad TSRTC officials have arranged 15 additional buses to accommodate the increased number of passengers traveling to Andhra Pradesh in view of Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. TSRTC regional manager Janreddy said the holiday season is contributing to the heavy rush, with increased passenger traffic observed on routes to Warangal and Hyderabad. Consequently, bus stations are also overcrowded. Meanwhile, some TSRTC staff members have expressed concerns that the provision of free bus travel for women might influence the voter turnout. District collector Rajiv Gandhi Hanumanthu, addressing reporters, highlighted their efforts to boost voter turnout in both rural and urban areas through effective campaigning. He also highlighted the importance of citizens exercising their voting rights responsibly, particularly as polling day approaches after a series of consecutive holidays. 350 special buses from Karimnagar KARIMNAGAR: In order to ease travel for polling day on Monday, TSRTC Karimnagar has deployed 350 special buses from Karimnagar, Peddapalli and Nizamabad parliamentary constituencies. Since Saturday, about 60,000 passengers have traveled to their hometowns to participate in the voting process. About 60 Palle Velugu buses have been designated only for election staff in Karimnagar, said TSRTC regional manager N Sucharita. The Election Commission of India has hired about 60 buses from Sunday onwards, which will be handed over on May 13 night. According to sources, majority of passengers are urban residents traveling back to their villages to cast their votes. Over 800 buses from 11 depots have been designated for election duty. Additionally, 350 buses have been brought from Hyderabad to meet the election rush. A first-time voter, Pradeep, who was traveling to his hometown from Hyderabad, took a brief stop in Karimnagar and will be voting on Monday. Another passenger, Rajesham, who was travelling to Jagtial from Hyderabad, where he resides with his son, said that he never misses an opportunity to cast his vote

Congress banking on Muslim votes in some Lok Sabha segments in Telangana

HYDERABAD: With a close contest expected in certain Lok Sabha segments, the Congress is eyeing a potential electoral boost by securing the support of Muslim voters to increase its tally. With a considerable Muslim population in crucial constituencies such as Secunderabad and Nizamabad, the grand old party is banking on their support to secure two to three additional seats in the Lok Sabha elections. In both these segments, the minorities account for around five lakh votes each. In Secunderabad, the Congress believes that the Hindu, Muslim and Christian voters have been polarised due to the aggressive campaign of BJP state president G Kishan Reddy. In addition, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi reportedly asked Muslims to vote for motay in Secunderabad. It was obvious that this was a reference to Congress Secunderabad candidate Danam Nagender. Similarly, in Nizamabad, voters are likely polarised due to many reasons including communally charged remarks made by incumbent BJP MP Dharmapuri Arvind, who is testing his luck again. Here, the Congress is again hoping that Muslims would vote for the partys candidate. In recent elections, the Muslim voters were inclined towards the BRS, as previous poll results showed. Incidentally, the BJP, while campaigning, claimed that it will remove 4% reservations for Muslims. The BJPs contention is that reservations on the basis of religion are not sanctioned by the Constitution. Speaking to TNIE, a senior Congress leader said that the Lok Sabha elections are between the Congress and BJP. He said that the BRS is not in the reckoning, and the voters have to choose between the BJP and Congress, expressing a high hope that the circumstances would help them get an advantage. However, it remains to be seen whether Muslims would favour the grand old party en masse or not.

Hyderabad: Rain Likely in City Today

Hyderabad : The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued an orange alert for rain in the city and several districts for Polling Day, forecasting light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by lightning. The GHMCs directorate of enforcement, vigilance and disaster management (EV&DM) on Sunday issued a heavy rainfall alert for Hyderabad and advised people to call on 040-21111111 or 9000113667 for assistance. The directorate advised people to avoid unnecessary travel. If people have to venture out, they should stay away from power lines. In Hyderabad and its neighbourhood, the next 24 hours are expected to see a generally cloudy sky with prospects of light to moderate rain or thundershowers in some parts. Returning officers have been asked to equip polling staff with tents and umbrellas. Civic officials have been instructed to coordinate with the returning officers in case of rain. According to the IMD, isolated areas in Adilabad, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Jagtial, Rajanna Sircilla, Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam, Mahabubabad, Warangal, Hanamkonda, Jangaon, Siddipet, Medchal Malkajgiri, Vikarabad, Sangareddy, Medak, Kamareddy, Mahbubnagar, Rangareddy, Hyderabad, and Suryapet districts are likely to experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds on Monday. The IMD anticipates maximum and minimum temperatures around 37 and 27C, respectively.

28 Voters Die Before Utilising Home Voting

Nizamabad : As many as 28 elderly people, who applied for vote from home facility in the Nizamabad parliamentary constituency died before casting their vote in the LS polls to be held on Monday. They died before the elections were held due to health problems and age-related issues. Election Commission provided the home voting facility to senior citizens aged above 85 years and differently-abled persons to exercise their voting rights from their homes. The same facility was provided during the Assembly elections too. Reacting to this, around 1,772 persons have applied and availed vote from home facility in all seven Assembly constituencies in the Nizamabad district. Of them, however, 28 voters could not vote due to their death. Nizamabad election returning officer and district collector Rajiv Gandhi Hanumanthu confirmed the deaths such 28 voters. He said that 17,04,867 voters have enrolled under Nizamabad parliamentary constituency.

Heavy Rain Lashes Kamareddy District

Kamareddy : Heavy rain accompanied by gusty winds and hailstorms lashed many parts of the Kamareddy district on Sunday, causing damage to makeshift sheds in Somaram Thanda of Gandhari Mandal. In Sadashivanagar, Gandhari, Lingampet, Yellareddy, Nagireddypet Mandals, rain brought relief to the people from scorching heatwaves. The Meteorological Department also issued alerts for possible rains in the undivided Nizamabad district for the next five days.

Women Voters Hold the Key in Telangana Elections

If the women voters of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu vote the way they have voted in the past, it would give an edge to these two parties in the respective states. (Representational Photo: PTI) If the women voters of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu vote the way they have voted in the past, it would give an edge to these two parties in the respective states. (Representational Photo: PTI) Hyderabad: Women voters outnumber men in 13 of the 17 Lok Sabha constituencies in Telangana state, and hold the key to which party will get more seats. That is if they go out and vote. As per voters data released by Election Commission in March for Lok Sabha elections, the number of women voters is more than men in Adilabad, Peddapalli, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Zaheerabad, Medak, Mahabubnagar, Nagarkurnool, Nalgonda, Bhongir, Warangal, Mahabubabad and Khammam. In Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Malkajgiri and Chevella, there are more male voters. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, however, the voting percentage of both genders was the about the same, even though women outnumbered men. Adilabad had 71.49 per cent men and 71.21 women voting, it was Karimanagar a uniform 70.38 per cent and in Nizamabad 72.82 per cent. The overall woman voting percentage was placed at 62.57 in Telangana state in 2019. In recent Assembly polls, Congress won 37 of 56 Assembly segments where women voters outnumbered men. Voter alert Polling from 7 am to 6 pm People who are in the queue by 6 pm will be allowed to vote Only those whose names are in the voters list can vote on May 13 Mobile phones not allowed inside polling booths If voters do not have Elector's Photo Identity Card (EPIC) (Voter ID) card, they take the Aadhaar card; passport; driving licence; PAN card; pension document with photograph; MGNREGA job card; bank/post office passbook with photograph; labour ministrys health insurance smart card; employment identity card of state or Centre, unique disability identification card.

Nizamabad constituency of Telangana Lok Sabha election 2024: Date of voting, result, candidates list, main parties, schedule

Telangana put on orange alert, thunderstorms likely on poll day

HYDERABAD: Light to moderate rains persisted in parts of the state for yet another day, offering relief from heatwaves. Isolated areas in Mancherial, Narayanpet and Nizamabad districts light rains, while moderate rains and thunderstorms swept through portions of Adilabad, Kamareddy and Kumuram Bheem Asifabad, said IMD. According to Telangana State Development Planning Society (TSDPS) reports, the highest maximum temperature in the state was recorded in Adilabad at 43.30C, followed by Jagtial at 43.10C and Peddapalli at 42.80C. The highest maximum temperature in the city was recorded in Shaikpet at 39.90C. IMD indicated the presence of a trough discontinuity stretching from Marathwada to the Comorin area across interior Karnataka and Kerala at 0.9 km above mean sea level along with another cyclonic system. The state is expected to witness light to moderate rains and thundershowers till May 17. An orange alert for thunderstorms and gusty winds of around 40-50 kmph has been issued from May 12 to May 14 in most districts, with a yellow alert for the remaining days. Over the next 48 hours, the city is likely to experience lightning and thunder, with maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 380C and 260C respectively.

Owaisi nudges AIMIM workers to back Congress candidates in Telangana

HYDERABAD: AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi indirectly appealed to voters to back Congress candidates to ensure that the BJP nominees face defeat. The MP stressed that this election was not about Mamu (K Chandrasekar Rao) but to remove the BJP from power. If you dont understand this, I am saying again clearly. Secunderabad mey motay ku jitaao (make the fat man win in Secunderabad). Nizamabad mey jissku sufaid baal zyaada hai ussku jitaao (in Nizamabad, make the one who has more gray hair win). Chevella mey dublay ku jitaao (In Chevella, make the slim man win), he told MIM activists. Addressing a public meeting at Khilwat, Owaisi also spoke about the two nation theory while training guns at the BJP. Noting that the sacrifices to attain Independence were made by both Hindus and Muslim, he said: Who said that Muslims and Hindus are two different nations? Did we say that? No, we did not. We want to remind the PM and the BJP who say that voting for the AIMIM is equal to voting for Pakistan. Arent you [BJP] ashamed? Two nation theory was spoken by you people, your hero said Hindus and Muslims are two different nations, your hero wrote it in his book. He asserted, We were born in this land and will die in this land. Listen BJP, RSS, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, there wont be another exodus.

Candidates meet caste, community leaders as campaigning closes

Nizamabad : Even as the campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls ended on Saturday, candidates started wooing influential people of castes, professional bodies and residential associations to secure their support at the last minute. BJP MP candidate Dharmapuri Arvind wrapped up his meetings with various community leaders and sought their support. He has assured all types of help to leaders of SC, ST and Padmashali, Munnuru Kapu, Goud, Reddy and other communities. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Lambada leader Govind said that their community members were divided on party lines. Earlier, Lambadas supported the BRS as it was assured 12 per cent reservation and the community later realised the BRS leadership is not sincere to carry out its promise, he said. Youths are in favour of BJP while others support the Congress and not BRS, he explained. Congress MP candidate T. Jeevan Reddy also met major community leaders and sought their help. Few community leaders approached him and extended their support. Senior Congress leaders also organised meetings with caste organisations to secure their support. BRS candidate Bajireddy Govardhan also met major communities in all seven Assembly constituencies and asked for their support.

Telangana: Priyanka Gandhi to visit Kamareddy today

Priyanka Gandhi says she will campaign in Rae Bareli and Amethi. Photo: PTI Priyanka Gandhi says she will campaign in Rae Bareli and Amethi. Photo: PTI Nizamabad: AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi will visit Kamareddy district headquarters on May 11 to participate in the Parliament election campaign of Zaheerabad constituency. Instead of addressing the public meeting, she will participate in a road show in the town. The Congress made arrangements for a public meeting at Government degree college grounds. But with a change in schedule, Priyanka Gandhi will participate in a road show from Indira Gandhi statue at railway station to Subhash Road. Chief Minister A.Revanth Reddy along with Priyanka Gandhi will reach Kamareddy town by helicopter at Indira Gandhi stadium on Saturday 3 pm. Government adviser Mohd Ali Shabbir, Zaheerabad Parliament constituency Congress candidate Suresh Kumar Shetkar and other senior leaders will participate. AICC secretary, Kerala Congress MLA P.C. Vishnunadh visited Kamareddy on Friday and supervised the arrangements for the visit of Priyanka Gandhi.

Turmeric spices up contest in Nizamabad

NIZAMABAD: As the polling date approaches, political parties and their candidates have stepped up their campaign in the Nizamabad constituency, raising the political heat. However, political pundits are unable to predict the outcome of the elections. The candidates of the main parties, namely, the Congress, BRS and BJP, are depending on their internal survey reports to plan their campaign strategy. With internal survey reports changing every week, top leaders of these three parties are working hard to ensure the victory of their respective candidates. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy visited the constituency twice. The ruling Congress has two MLAs, BRS three and BJP two in the parliament constituency. Of the seven Assembly segments, five are in Nizamabad district and two in Jagtial. As many as 29 candidates are in the poll fray. The contest is going to be a triangular one among the ruling Congress, BJP and BRS. Sitting BJP MP Dharmapuri Arvind is mainly relying on the Modi wave and support of turmeric farmers. Arvind who has been organising chai pe charcha programmes in towns and villages to get closer to voters, promises that investors would be invited to the district if the BJP wins. Apart from holding regular press meets, he has roped in all saffron party wings to work for him. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttarkhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami addressed public meetings in the segment. On the other hand, 73-year-old Congress candidate and five-time Congress MLA from Jagtial T Jeevan Reddy, is being projected as a leader of farmers. He is being helped in his campaigning by Bodhan MLA P Sudarshan Reddy. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy assured the voters that if Jeevan Reddy is elected he will become Union Agriculture Minister and work for the development of the constituency. Congress leaders and cadre are hopeful that the CMs visit has increased Jeevan Reddys victory chances. The BRS is also leaving no stone unturned to win the seat. Its candidate Bajireddy Govardhan, a four-time MLA belonging to the Munnuru Kapu community like his BJP rival Arvind, is considered a mass leader. BRS chief and former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, during campaigning, claimed that his party secured six percent more votes than the Congress and BJP in the segment in the Assembly elections and exuded confidence of the party candidate winning the LS seat. While the BJP is confident of retaining the seat riding on the Modi wave, the Congress is expecting to bag more votes in Nizamabad Urban, Nizamabad Rural, Bodhan and Jagtial. The BRS, which has three Assembly seats in the segment, is hoping for the support of Muslim voters to win the parliament seat.

68mm rainfall in Khammam; Hyderabad sees short, intense spells

HYDERABAD: The state experienced light to moderate rains as well as thunderstorms in several districts on Friday, including short intense spells in parts of Hyderabad. As per the IMD, heavy rains occurred at isolated places in the Bhadradri Kothagudem districts, while, light rains and thunderstorms were experienced in the districts of Adilabad, Khammam, Mancherial, Nagarkurnool, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Rangareddy and Vikarabad. Districts of Jagtial, Kamareddy, Medak, Sangareddy and Siddipet experienced moderate rains. Khammam recorded the highest rainfall of 68 mm, followed by Medak at 47 mm and Nirmal at 38 mm. Hyderabad experienced short intense rain spells in the evening hours in Moosapet, Kukatpally, Bowenpally, Balanagar, JNTU, Lingampally as well as the outskirts of Rajendranagar. Temperatures also remained in the moderate range as the highest temperature in the state was recorded in Nirmal at 43.6C, while the highest temperature in the city was 38.6C in Kapra, as per the Telangana State Development Planning Society (TSDPS) report. Further, IMD said that a cyclonic circulation lies over central Madhya Pradesh and neighbourhood at 1.5 km above mean sea level. Under the influence of the weather system, the state will receive light to moderate rains or thundershowers with gusty winds of 30-40 kmph till May 16 and a yellow warning has been issued for the same. A yellow alert for temperatures has been issued as mercury levels will drop between 36-40C in the days ahead. For the next 48 hours, Hyderabad will experience partly cloudy skies and maximum and minimum temperatures will be 39C and 26C, respectively.

Tamilisai: Indians will be safe in hands of Modi

NIZAMABAD: Former Governor and BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan said that the people of the country would be safe, healthy, happy in the development-oriented governance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A strong PM like Modi is needed for integrated development of the country, she said. Dr Soundararajan addressed the Lok Sabha election campaign at Kanteshwar on Thursday night. She said that the victory of BJP candidate Dharmapuri Arvind would continue the development of Nizamabad. A vote for the Congress and the BRS does not yield any result, as there is no Prime Minister candidate, she said. The former Governor said that Arvind was a powerful leader and he had defeated former chief minister K. Chandrashekar Raos daughter K. Kavitha in the 2019 elections. Kavitha is now is in a Delhi jail, she said for added effect. Arvind is a daring politician and kind-hearted person who serves children through his Dharmapuri Foundation, she said.

Telangana Polls: Farmers' Issues Take Center Stage in Election Campaigns

HYDERABAD: With Rythu Bharosa (previously known as Rythu Bandhu), the financial assistance provided to farmers before the start of agriculture season, being remitted and Rabi season by and large passing off without much difficulty on power and irrigation fronts, the Congress has been pinning hopes heavily on the largest voting community of farmers and farm labour. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy prioritised the release of Rythu Bharosa initially to small and marginal farmers and recently farmers with more than five acres also received the financial assistance. The Congress is in upbeat mood with the feedback that the farmers were happy over input subsidies for equipment like tractors, drip irrigation and seeds and pesticides that were in vogue earlier are brought back again. This, they say, will benefit the large number of small and marginal farmers who form the bulk of the farming community. They however insist that the Chief Minister as promised earlier should ensure that the assistance is given only to the needy and real farmers who are into cultivation. Payment should not be done to barren lands and hillocks as had happened earlier and some even suggest an upper limit to the acreage for paying the input dole. K. Pratap (67), a farmer from Berhampur village of Talamadugu mandal of Adilabad district, bats for limiting Rythu Bandhu to 10 acres. He said the government should give its share of a four percent interest subsidy on farm loans as per NABARD scheme. I am hopeful the present government will honour the August 15 deadline for `2 lakh loan waiver. The input subsidy on farm necessities should be restarted again. People are saving electricity to limit their consumption to the 200 units that they can avail for free now. On renewing the subsidy facilities on inputs, M. Shekhar, a farmer with three acres from Arutla village of Ranga Reddy district, says, It will benefit small farmers like me if subsidy is given for tomato boxes, mango plants which were being given earlier. My paddy crop dried up. I will grow tomatoes now. Subsidies for drip irrigation equipment will benefit. As a MGNREGS worker himself, he feels that the government has to time the work not to affect the paddy sowing or cutting season. He opines the scheme supplements his income during the summer season. The free bus facility for women is a welcome step and is helpful. I had received BC Bandhu earlier and hence voted for the previous government. I am hoping to get an Indiramma house sanctioned now and will vote accordingly in the parliament polls. His fellow villager K. Shekhar Reddy, while largely agreeing with him, does not hope the present state government will increase the Rythu Bandhu amount to the promised Rs 7,500 per acre. He is also not hopeful of the launch of crop insurance schemes and counts the Central governments Ayushman Bharat and Fasal Bima Yojana as good schemes and would influence his voting choice in the Lok Sabha elections. BJP gained some brownie points following the decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to set up the turmeric board in the State before the 2023 assembly polls. Crediting the Centres decision to set up the Turmeric Board for getting higher prices for the crop, T. Rajeshwar (57) from Donkal village of Morthad mandal of Nizamabad district, said, We did not get proper price for the past 10 years and had fetched only Rs 6,000 to 7,000 per quintal. But this year, we got more than `13,000 to `15,000. This situation will favour the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls. The 10 years of the BRS government was corruption-ridden. As one of the 180 farmers, who had filed nominations during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, seeking the board, he said, I feel politicians agree to peoples demands depending on their reading of the situation. As a farmer with eight acres of land, I got Rythu Bandhu on Wednesday. G. Ravinder Reddy, a farmer from Choppadandi mandal of Karimnagar district, opines power situation is not a problem now as all the crops have been cut. The farmer whose land is irrigated by water from the SRSP (Sriram Sagar Project) feels loan waiver is something that the farmers are looking forward to. Whether the incumbent government would waive the pending loan accrued from the previous regime or not has to be seen. I have rescheduled my Rs 2 lakh loan. Batting for keeping the MSP in line with their increased input costs, V. Ramakrishna, a farmer from Sirisedu village in Ellanthakunta village of Karimnagar district, opined that their farm produce prices have not kept pace with the costs. The present government, he feels, has started well by giving 30,000 jobs to youth. It is children of farmers like me who come and struggle in the hostels in Hyderabad hoping for new job notifications. Many farmers are struggling to help their wards in the process.

A Congress-BJP showdown for Nagarkurnool seat

Hyderabad : The Nagarkurnool Lok Sabha constituency may not have made the headlines in the current election season as Medak, Malkajgiri, Hyderabad, Karimnagar or Nizamabad, which either have recognisable faces or have a history of electing VIP candidates, but it nevertheless is set to become a test for how voters perceive each of the three top parties in the electoral fray for polling set for May 13. The Congress fielded Mallu Ravi, a seasoned campaigner who had won in 1991 and 1998, while the BRS has taken a gamble with R.S. Praveen Kumar, who joined the party just before filing his nomination. The BJP nominated P. Bharat Prasad, son of MP P. Ramulu, who won on a BRS ticket the last time, and joined the BJP in the early stages of the campaign. The primary contest is expected to be between the Congress and the BJP. Before Ravi won for the first time as a Congress candidate from the constituency, it was Mallu Anantha Ramulu, who represented Nagarkurnool twice, winning in 1980 in 1989. It was the confidence of a certain victory from Nagarkurnool that also saw Ravi resign as the special representative of the Telangana government in New Delhi to contest the election. Having won five of the seven Assembly segments in the constituency, and the BRS getting just two, the Congress appears to have some cards in its favour. It is also betting on the fact that Ravi had come second in the 2019 elections, behind P. Ramulu, who had won on a BRS ticket. With respect to the BJP, the party is hoping that P. Ramulu will be successful shifting support base to the BJP. Initially, the BRS, which struggled after P. Ramulu, latched on to a proposal from BSPs Praveen Kumar and was willing to leave the seat to the party. This plan fell through with the BSPs leadership making it clear that it is not entering into any pre-poll alliances. This resulted in Praveen Kumar quitting the BSP and joining the BRS. Though local BRS leaders say that he is bridging the gap with the BJP in the constituency, the fight appears to be between the BJP and Congress.

Nizamabad LS: All eyes on Muslim, Munnuru Kapu, Reddy votes

Nizamabad (Photo: Facebook) Nizamabad (Photo: Facebook) Nizamabad LS: All eyes on Muslim, Munnuru Kapu, Reddy votes NARENDER PULLOOR I DC Nizamabad : With the Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency witnessing a triangular fight between the BJP, the Congress and the BRS, all eyes have now been trained on how the Muslims, Reddy and Munnuru Kapu communities will vote. Every party is going overboard to enlist the support of these communities. BJP candidate Dharmapuri Arvind, the incumbent MP, is confident of getting votes from all communities in good numbers, including his own Munnuru Kapu community. BRS has also strategically fielded former MLA Bajireddy Govardhan, who is also from Munnuru Kapu community to break the supremacy of Arvind. The older generation of Munnuru Kapu community has strong ties with Arvinds father and former PCC chief D.Srinivas. After Muslims (3.80 lakh voters), the second largest number of voters are from teh Munnuru Kapu community at 3.45 lakh. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a young leader from Munnuru Kapu community said Arvind had supported the community and looked after their welfare and development, he said. If the majority of Munnuru Kapus votes for Arvind, he would definitely win the MP seat for second time, he explained. Congresss MP candidate T. Jeevan Reddy has specifically focused on farmers to garner their support. The Reddy community, that accounts for one lakh votes, may support him in this election. After a gap of two decades, the Reddys have got a candidate of their own and they are likely to support him. Muslims are a sizable number in Nizamabad parliamentary constituency as their presence is prominent in Nizamabad Urban, Bodhan, Jagtial and other Assembly segments. In the changed political equations, a majority of Muslim voters may vote for the Congress, party leaders opined. In the past, Muslim votes have not gone to a single candidate. The constituency will see sharp polarization among voters with the Muslim, Munnuru Kapu and Reddy communities playing a decisive role on who will win here

TSRTC issues notice to Jeevan Reddy Mall over non-payment of dues

NIZAMABAD: The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) has issued a notice to Vishwajith Infra Developers, owners of Jeevan Reddy Mall in Armoor, demanding the payment of pending dues amounting to Rs 3.14 crore. The notice said the mall would be seized if the dues were not cleared by Thursday evening. Vishwajith Infra Developers is reportedly owned by the family members of BRS district president and former Armoor MLA A Jeevan Reddy. The firm entered into an agreement with TSRTC to utilise the latters land for the construction of the mall. However, it has not paid electrical charges and lease payments to TSRTC. After the Assembly elections, NPDCL officials issued a notice and collected a part of the pending amount. However, the TSRTC issued notices as the mall was yet to clear Rs 3.14 crore in dues. This issue has piqued the interest of political observers as Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy visited Armoor on Wednesday. The next day, TSRTC officials issued the notice. Meanwhile, BRS MP candidate Bajireddy Govardhan, along with A Jeevan Reddy, participated in an election campaign in Armoor town on Thursday. TSRTC Karimnagar security and vigilance officer Babu Rao, TSRTC deputy regional manager Shankar and Armoor depot manager Anjaneyulu, along with the local police, visited the mall to serve the notice. Final warning TSRTC officials announced, via microphone, that if the mall owners failed to settle the pending dues by Thursday evening, the mall would face seizure. It was emphasised that this was the final notice

Yellow alert in Telangana till May 12, rains likely to intensify on polling day

HYDERABAD: People were caught off guard by sudden rains on Thursday afternoon, with many areas in Hyderabad witnessing traffic snarls. Areas such as Shaikpet, Tolichowki, Rajendranagar, Attapur, Nanal Nagar, Mehdipatnam, Masab Tank, Lakdi ka Pul and Gachibowli experienced heavy traffic jams in the evening hours after a short spell of rains. The highest rainfall was recorded in Bhadradri Kothagudem at 62.3 mm, followed by Nagarkurnool at 27 mm, as per a Telangana State Development Planning Society (TSDPS) report. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that light to moderate rains and thunderstorms were also experienced at isolated places in the Adilabad, Jogulamba Gadwal, Kamareddy, Khammam, Kumarambheem Asifabad, Mahabubabad, Medak, Mulugu, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Rajanna Sircilla, Siddipet, Suryapet and Wanaparthy districts. The trough from Maharashtra to Karnataka will exert its influence and a yellow alert has been issued in the state till May 12 for thunderstorms and lightning. An orange alert for May 13 was also issued as rains are likely to intensify, accompanied by lightning, thunderstorms and gusty winds around 4050 kmph. The maximum temperature recorded in the state was 43.6C at Nizamabad, while the highest at Hyderabad was 41.3C at Quthbullapur. The city is expected to have cloudy sky, with a high probability of light rains or thunderstorms in the evening or night. Maximum and minimum temperatures are anticipated to be around 37C and 27C, respectively, over the next 48 hours.

7 Day IMD Forecast for Telangana

IMD said very heavy rainfall would occur in north Telangana on Monday. Nasa also said that cloud top temperatures were as low as -53 degrees Celsius and had potential for heavy rainfall. (Photo: DC/File) IMD said very heavy rainfall would occur in north Telangana on Monday. Nasa also said that cloud top temperatures were as low as -53 degrees Celsius and had potential for heavy rainfall. (Photo: DC/File) Hyderabad: The IMD Hyderabad center has issued a weather forecast for the next seven days starting today. May 9 (Thursday): Light to moderate rain or thundershowers likely at isolated places in Telangana. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) are likely in Nizamabad, Jagtial, Rajanna Siricilla, Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Yadadri Bhongir, Vikarabad, Sangareddy, Medak, and Kamareddy. May 10 (Friday):Light to moderate rain or thundershowers at isolated places across Telangana. Warning for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) in Adilabad, KomaramBheem Asifabad, and Nirmal. May 11 (Saturday):Light to moderate rain or thundershowers at isolated places in Telangana. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) likely in Nizamabad, Peddapally, Jayashankar Bhupalapally, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mahabubabad, Warangal, Hanamkonda, Janagaon, Siddipet, Yadadri Bhuvangiri, Sangareddy, and Medak. May 12 (Sunday): Light to moderate rain or thundershowers expected at a few places in Telangana. Warning for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) in Siddipet, Yadadri Bhuvangiri, Rangareddy, Hyderabad, Medchal Malkajigiri, Vikarabad, Sangareddy, Medak, Kamareddy, Mahabubnagar, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy, Narayanpet, and Jogulamba Gadwal. May 13 (Monday): Light to moderate rain or thundershowers likely at isolated places in Telangana, with heavy rain possible in isolated areas. Expect thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) at isolated places. May 14 (Tuesday): Light to moderate rain or thundershowers expected at isolated places in Telangana. May 15 (Wednesday):Light to moderate rain or thundershowers at isolated places in Telangana.

Orange alert for May 12, Hyderabad to receive light to moderate rains

HYDERABAD: Following heavy rains and thunderstorms on Tuesday, the weather in the state remained comparatively calmer. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), light to moderate rains were recorded at isolated places in the districts of Adilabad, Hyderabad, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Rangareddy and Sangareddy, whereas moderate rains and thundershowers were recorded in the districts of Jagtial, Kamareddy, Medak, Rajanna Sircilla, Siddipet and Vikarabad. In addition, hailstorms occurred at isolated places in the districts of Adilabad, Medak, Mancherial, Kumurambheem Asifabad, Rajanna Sircilla and Peddapalli districts. The maximum temperatures also recorded a significant dip as the highest maximum temperature remained below 44Celsius, with Nizamabad recording the highest temperature of 42.9Celsius. Meanwhile, the capital city of Hyderabad recorded the maximum temperature of 40.2Celsius in Rajendranagar. According to the IMD, a trough runs from northeast Rajasthan to south interior Karnataka across central Maharashtra and north interior Karnataka at 0.9 km above mean sea level (MSL). Under the influence of the weather system, the state will continue to experience light to moderate rains and thundershowers till May 14. A yellow alert has been issued in the state for rains till May 11, followed by an orange alert on May 12, as rains are very likely to intensify with lightning and gusty winds of around 4050 kmph for many districts. For the next 48 hours, the city is likely to experience light to moderate rains or thundershowers with maximum and minimum temperatures of 38Celsius and 24C respectively, and relative humidity of 62%.

For BJP, much hinges on voter turnout in Telangana

HYDERABAD: Having set a target of winning at least eight of the 17 seats in Telangana, the BJP is expecting support from voters in urban, semi-urban and rural constituencies to achieve its goal. It is pinning its hopes on the appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJPs image among urban voters. However, if one goes purely by the partys performance in the recent Assembly elections, the BJP may not achieve its target as a majority of the people in semi-urban areas voted for the Congress, and voters in Greater Hyderabad limits backed the BRS. Analysts attribute this to a variety of factors, including voter sentiment and local dynamics. Responding to this, BJP leaders say that in national elections, people in urban areas generally vote for the saffron party as Modi remains a popular national leader. However, despite attempts by the Election Commission of India to encourage voters in urban areas to go out and exercise their franchise, the urban voting percentage has been disappointingly low in all the phases of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections so far. This may well be the deciding factor in a few of the constituencies. Extended weekend worries party In the recent Assembly elections, the BJPs vote share was 13.9%, a steep rise compared to 2018 when its vote share was 6.98%. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP got 19.65% of the votes and won four seats. BJP leaders are expecting that the party will increase its vote share in this election and give a tough fight in all Lok Sabha seats in the state. It has fielded strong candidates in all the 17 seats. While the BJP believes that a majority of the urban voters will favour its candidates, the fact remains that voter turnout remains disappointing, especially in Greater Hyderabad limits where polling percentage was less than 50. On top of this, the fact that votes will be cast on Monday has elongated the weekend (May 11 will be second Saturday and May 13 has been declared a general holiday). BJP leaders fear that a majority of urban voters may plan a tour. If their fears come true, the voting percentage in GHMC limits, covering Malkajgiri, Secunderabad, Hyderabad and Chevella constituencies, may drop even lower. This also holds for other major cities in Telangana like Warangal, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Khammam and Nalgonda, where urban votes are crucial for the BJPs success. Also, the state has over 20 semi-urban areas (including district headquarters). Expects increase in rural voter turnout While the BJP expects an increase in rural voter turnout, the ruling Congress and the main Opposition BRS are also wooing voters in semi-urban and rural areas. With both parties focusing on regaining lost ground, the BJP faces intense competition. Also, the BRS continues to pose a tough challenge for the BJP. It won a majority of seats within the GHMC limits during the last Assembly election. The Congress has been resurgent in GHMC limits after coming to power in the state and appears to be gaining traction with the voters. The BJP is aware of this and is working to counter the division of votes in rural areas and triangular contests in GHMC limits. It all depends on the distribution of votes across urban, semi-urban and rural segments.

Revanth Reddy questions delay over setting up Turmeric Board

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Wednesday alleged that the BJP cheated turmeric farmers of Nizamabad by not setting up the National Turmeric Board even after making the promise five years ago. He said that like in 2019, the BJP is once again taking the turmeric farmers for a ride over the issue. Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Democracy Under Threat from BJP: CM Revanth

NIZAMABAD : TPCC president and Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy warned that worlds largest democracy in India is under threat from the BJP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted to change the Constitution and abolish reservations to the SC/ST, OBC and minorities, he alleged. If BJP is voted to power, democracy will be under threat and dictator rule may prevail, he said. Revanth Reddy took part in a rally and road corner meeting in Nizamabad on Wednesday night. To protect the Constitution, he called upon people to vote for Congress party. Congress party and the Gandhi family can only protect the Constitution, he said. He questioned why the BJP government failed to conduct the 2021 Census and caste-wise censusnad criticised that BJP is planning to destroy the rights of the poor and downtrodden in the country. The chief minister warned that 140 crore people in the country will not spare the BJP for its attempts to change the Constitution. He assured that after Congress came to power in the centre, it would conduct caste-wise census and provide proportionate reservations to all communities. It is the responsibility of people to protect the Constitution from the BJP threat, he said. Earlier, in the Armoor meeting, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy termed BJP leaders as Beggars for asking for votes in the name of Gods. For political mileage, BJP leaders cheated not only people, they also did it to gods, he criticised. He pleaded with Vedic scholars to declare the rituals of Hindus and the misdeeds of BJP leaders. What basis do BJP leaders have to distribute Akshinthalu (holy grains) to the people before Prathista (installation) of Lord Rama in Ayodhya?, he questioned.

Tuesdays unseasonal rains wreak havoc in Telangana; 10 killed

Hyderabad: The sudden downpour that lashed many parts of the State including Hyderabad on Tuesday evening wreaked havoc claiming lives of at least 10 people and causing crop damage to thousands of acres. The sweltering heat conditions kept the people on the edge for the last few weeks as day temperatures crossed 42 degrees Celsius. Instead of bringing relief from the scorching heat, the sudden rainfall caused loss of human life and damage to crops in thousands of acres in erstwhile Nizamabad, Karimanagar and other districts in the State. Seven people lost their lives after a rain-soaked wall caved in Bachupally on Tuesday night, while two bodies that were swept in rain was found in Begumpet nala on Wednesday morning. The police shifted the bodies of seven persons Thirupathi Maji, Shankar, Raju, Kushi, Ram Yadav, Geetha and four-year-old Himanshu, all hailing from Odisha and Chhattisgarh, for conducting an autopsy while two bodies found in Begumpet nala were preserved at the Gandhi hospital mortuary for identification. Following information that the unseasonal downpour extensively caused damage to crops, officials of Agriculture department on Wednesday asked the District Agriculture Officer (DAOs) to conduct field inspection in their district concerned to assess the crop damage and submit a detailed report. We gave instructions to ADOs to immediately conduct field inspections for assessing the crop damage and asked them to submit district-wise reports by today evening, a senior official of the Agriculture department said. He said the sudden showers lashed the State at a time when the department started disbursing one-time relief to farmers, who suffered crop damage during heavy rainfall occurred between March 16 to 21 in 10 districts. The State government released an amount of Rs.15.81 crore as a one-time measure, a relief of Rs. 10,000 per acre to farmers who suffered the loss in 10 districts Kamareddy, Nizamabad, Rajanna Sircilla, Siddipet, Medak, Adilabad, Nirmal, Mancherial, Karimnagar and Sangareddy. The Civil Supplies department is also seeking information about the loss suffered by farmers after their paddy got drenched due to unseasonal rains. Instructions were issued to officials to collect information from Paddy Procurement Centres across the State.

Elusive Turmeric board and hardships of Gulf migrants still a key issue in Nizamabad

Five years down the line with yet another election scheduled on May 13, the promised Turmeric Board is nowhere in sight despite a promise made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah just two days ago that the National Turmeric Board will surely be set up in Nizamabad only

Telangana government release Rythu Bandhu, input subsidy

HYDERABAD: Following the green signal from the Election Commission, the state government on Monday disbursed Rythu Bandhu amounts worth Rs 2,200 crore for farmers owning five or more acres of land. The government also released Rs 15 crore input subsidy to 15,246 farmers whose crops were damaged in March. Rs 5.5K crore disbursed to 64.75L ryots under the Rythu Bandhu scheme as of Mar 28 The state government already released Rs 5,700 crore for farmers owning five or less acres who comprise 92% of the eligible beneficiaries. By releasing the Rs 2,200 crore for the remaining 8%, or 4.5 lakh farmers, it completed the disbursal of Rythu Bandhu for Rabi crops. The Congress government released the Rythu Bandhu amounts in phases, as was done during the BRS regime, a source explained. The Congress governments Rythu Bharosa scheme, which proposes to increase the input subsidy amount from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per acre for two crops, would be implemented from the Kharif season onwards. Meanwhile, input subsidy to farmers whose agriculture and horticulture crops were damaged due to heavy rains/hailstorms in 10 districts between March 16 and 21 was also released on Monday. As many as 15,246 farmers who lost crops on 15,814.03 acres in Kamareddy, Nizamabad, Rajanna-Sircilla, Siddipet, Medak, Adilabad, Nirmal, Mancherial, Karimnagar and Sangareddy districts, got Rs 15.81 crore.

Congress is anti-Ram, anti-Sanatan: JP Nadda

HYDERABAD/NALGONDA: BJP national president JP Nadda on Monday alleged that the Congress was anti-Ram and anti-Sanatan and that it supports anti-national forces. Addressing an election rally at Peddapalli, Nadda accused the grand old party of hijacking the reservations of SC, ST and OBC communities. He said that when the Congress was in power in undivided Andhra Pradesh in 2004, it robbed SC, ST and OBCs of their reservations and gave them to Muslims. The Congress curtailed OBC reservations and gave it to Muslims in Karnataka but the BJP government did away with it and gave the OBCs their rights back, the BJP leader said. Who is doing the theft? he asked. Referring to the Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM, BRS and Congress as ABC, the BJP national president alleged that they follow the agenda of the Muslim League. All of them follow the principles and policies of Tablighi Jamaat, he charged. The BJP leader said that Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi remained silent when DMK leader Udayanidhi Stalin compared Sanatan Dharma with HIV, dengue and malaria. Addressing a public meeting in Nalgonda, he alleged that the Congress has a history of only announcing welfare schemes but never implementing them. BRS and Congress have not done anything for Telangana. They are family parties. While Congress is a party of scandals, Kaleshwaram has become an ATM for BRS, Nadda alleged. He said that the Congress is an enemy of Hinduism. Congress administration is responsible for the backwardness of the country. Only BJP can protect SC, ST and OBC reservations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a visionary who radically changed Indian politics, Nadda said. Utilise Central scheme, become bizmen: Arvind to turmeric farmers BJP candidate Dharmapuri Arvind on Monday urged farmers to seize the opportunity provided by the government to export turmeric. In a chai pe charcha programme in Ankapur village of Armoor mandal, Arvind said that with the backing of the government, Nizamabad could attract buyers from across the globe for processed turmeric. Bandi is my inspiration: Annamalai Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai on Monday said that drawing inspiration from MP Bandi Sanjay, he took up his own padayatra in TN. Addressing a Yuva Sammelanam programme at Jammikunta, Annamalai called upon BJP activists to ensure that Sanjay bags at least 60% of the votes in Karimnagar.

BJP will win less than 210 seats: K Chandrasekhar Rao

NIZAMABAD: Former chief minister and BRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao here on Monday said that after Lok Sabha elections coalition government would come to power at the Centre and regional parties would play a key role in the formation of government. Stating that the Congress government released Rythu Bandhu funds under pressure from the BRS, KCR said if his party wins 12-14 seats, the interests of Telangana would be protected. KCR, who reached Nizamabad in the evening, participated in a roadshow from the Old Collectors Office to Gandhi Chowk where he addressed a public gathering. He predicted that the BJP would win less than 210 seats in the upcoming parliament elections. Calling on the people to vote for the BRS to defeat the BJP, he appealed to Muslims to extend their support to his party candidate. He accused BJP MP D Arvind of using intemperate language and spreading confusion in society. Asserting that the BRS was the only party which could defeat the BJP, KCR said that Muslims should exercise their voting right carefully. If Muslims vote for the Congress, it would help the BJP. Therefore, they should be careful. Dismissing the allegations that he was targeting the BJP because his daughter Kavitha was put in jail, the BRS supremo asserted that he was not afraid of anything. Describing himself as a Hindu and athma bandhu of Telangana, KCR said that Hindus and Muslims have been living like brothers. Not a single communal incident take place during the nine years of the BRS government, he said and added that the BRS government spent Rs 12,000 crore for the welfare of minorities.

Heading for a photo finish in Telangana

HYDERABAD: With just five days left for all political parties to convince citizens why they deserve to represent them in Parliament, campaigning has reached a fever pitch, especially in constituencies where the contest appears to be neck-and-neck. Various internal surveys conducted by the three major parties in the fray in Telangana the Congress , BJP and BRS point to a straightforward battle between the two national parties in seven constituencies and triangular contests in five to six Lok Sabha seats. In the remaining constituencies, one party has a clear edge and is expected to win without much fuss. Considering the stakes, its hardly surprising that all the parties have pulled in their heavyweights to campaign. While the BJPs campaign is led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Congress top guns like AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and its star campaigners Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi have been toiling hard. The BRS campaign is led by its supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao and former ministers KT Rama Rao and T Harish Rao. Sources in both the Congress and BJP said that both the parties are gearing up for a close finish in seven constituencies, with each claiming a slight edge over the other. According to internal surveys, the margin between these two parties stands at 3% to 4% in Adilabad, Nizamabad, Malkajgiri, Chevella, Mahbubnagar, Zaheerabad and Bhongir segments. Division of votes The internal surveys point to triangular contests in Secunderabad, Karimnagar, Medak, Warangal, Peddapalli and Nagarkurnool. In such a scenario, the division of votes will play a crucial role in determining the victor. For instance, in Secunderabad, the Congress hopes to sway voters who supported the BRS in the last Assembly elections but may now favour the grand old party as it is in power in the state. Obviously the BRS is putting in all efforts to maintain its voter base. Meanwhile, the BJP is hoping to build on its traditional vote share by tapping into anti-incumbency sentiment. BJP, Congress surveys predict close contest in 7 segments in Telangana In Medak, intense competition prevails as all three parties are vying for the seat. The BRS has fielded former IAS officer P Venktram Reddy, the Congress nominated Neelam Madhu Mudiraj and the BJP picked former MLA M Raghunandan Rao. While the ruling party fields a candidate from the BC community to appeal to the majority voter base, the BJP is relying on its presence in the constituency and the charisma of Modi. However, Medak is considered a stronghold of the BRS and is represented in the Assembly by KCR and Harish Rao. Changing scenarios In Karimnagar, BJP candidate Bandi Sanjay held the edge till about a fortnight ago, but the situation now appears to have changed with the Congress fielding V Rajender Rao. The BRS candidate is B Vinod Kumar. Minister Ponnam Prabhakar is working hard on behalf of the party to win the Karimnagar seat and prove his mettle. The BRS is doing all it can to win the seat since party working president KT Rama Rao represents Sircilla, which is part of the Lok Sabha seat, in the Assembly. Likewise, Warangal and Nagarkurnool constituencies are also expected to see a photo finish. In Warangal, Sudheer Kumar (BRS), Kadiyam Kavya (Congress) and Aroori Ramesh (BJP) are in the fray, while former IPS officer RS Praveen Kumar (BRS), former MP Mallu Ravi (Congress) and sitting MP P Ramulus son P Bharat (BJP) are facing off in Nagarkurnool. In Peddapalli too, a triangular contest is expected between BJPs Gomasa Srinivas, Koppula Eswar of the BRS and Congress Gaddam Vamshi Krishna, who is the son of MLA G Vivek Venkataswamy. Though it was initially considered a battle between the Congress and BRS candidates, the scenario changed after sitting MP B Venkatesh Netha joined the saffron party from the Congress. In February this year, Venkatesh had shifted his loyalties from the BRS to the Congress.

Nizamabad MP Aravind Dharmapuri is an enemy of Gulf migrants, alleges Congress NRI cell

Gujarat Model in Telangana Could Mean Godhra Like Violence: KCR

Hyderabad: With five days of campaigning left for the May 13 Lok Sabha elections, the BRS is sharpening its attacks on the Congress and BJP, with its focus firmly on Telangana-related issues. The BRS campaign has been focusing on issues related to farming such as the government going slow in depositing Rythu Bandhu amounts, not implementing the Rs 500 per quintal bonus for paddy to farmers, neglect of irrigation and power cuts in the state. The party has also been urging the Muslim community not to vote for Congress as such an act would only help the BJP candidates. On Monday, BRS president K. Chandrashekar Rao, addressing a meeting in Nizamabad, as part of his ongoing bus tour, reiterated that the BRS was the voice and strength of Telangana sate. Only if the BRS is voted for can the Congress government be forced to implement its promises, Rao said, citing the state governments decision to start disbursal of pending Rythu Bandhu funds from Monday. It is because KCR has hit the streets. The Chief Minister is quaking with fear because I am among the people now despite a broken leg and having to use a walking stick, he said. Addressing the Muslim community in Nizamabad constituency, Rao called the BJP a khatarnak (dangerous) party. He also called the BJPs Nizamabad candidate Dharmapuri Arvind gandha (dirty), and rounded off wondering aloud if the Gujarat model the BJP talked about, and which Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help in replicating it in Telangana, means if they will bring the Godhra model, people will be burnt alive. Is this the Gujarat model that they will bring? BRS in survival mode, returns to its roots with a vengeance

Assets of Top 52 Candidates from Telangana in LS Fray Nearly Rs 4,000 Cr

Election Commission told the Bombay High Court on Tuesday that it would derecognise those political parties which use children in election campaign or poll-related work. (Photo: PTI/File) Election Commission told the Bombay High Court on Tuesday that it would derecognise those political parties which use children in election campaign or poll-related work. (Photo: PTI/File) Hyderabad: The Election Commission of India has fixed a ceiling of Rs 95 lakh for a candidate to spend on the Lok Sabha election campaign. Going by the assets declared by the candidates from the three main parties in Telangana state, all of them, except one, could manage to spend this amount. Incidentally, among the three major parties, only the BRS has officially handed over cheques of Rs 95 lakh to each of its 17 candidates so far. The total assets declared by 51 candidates from the Congress, BJP, and the BRS, along with MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, the lone AIMIM candidate, stand at Rs 3,953.49 crore. Of this, BJP candidates have a lions share at Rs 2,486.21 crore, with its Chevella candidate Konda Vishweshwar Reddys assets alone account for more than half at Rs 1,696 crore. Incidentally, the BJP candidates declared assets are more than that of the Congress and BRS combine, which stand at Rs 709.25 crore and Rs 758.03 crore respectively. The only candidate whose assets are less than the Election Commission-approved expenditure limit of Rs 95 lakh is Pothugani Bharath, a BJP candidate from Nagarkurnool, with a declared wealth of Rs 33 lakh. All other candidates, including Owaisi, have declared Rs 1 crore or more as their personal wealth, whether in moveable or immovable assets. Whether the ECI limit of Rs 95 lakh is enough to cover a candidates campaigning cost in a Lok Sabha constituency that covers seven Assembly segments appears to be a moot question with leaders from different parties admitting that the campaign costs much more. But, when accounts are filed with the ECI, the expenditure limits are adhered to. Top 5 candidates Poorest Constituency CandidateParty Assets Nagarkurnool P. Bharat BJP Rs 33 lakh Karimnagar Bandi Sanjay BJP Rs 1.12 cr Nizamabad B. Goverdhan BRS Rs 1.41 cr Nagarkurnool Praveen Kumar BRS Rs 1.41 cr Warangal Dr Kadiam Kavya INC Rs 1.99 cr Adilabad Athram Suguna INC Rs 2 cr Richest Chevella Konda Vishweshwar Reddy BJP Rs 1,696 cr Chevella G. Ranjith Reddy INC Rs 294.47 cr Hyderabad Madhavi Latha BJP Rs 221.39 cr Khammam Nama Nageswara Rao BRS Rs 155.9 cr Zaheerabad B.B. Patil BJP Rs 151.69 cr

Congress Promoting Anti-Nationals: J.P. Nadda

Nalgonda: BJP president J.P. Nadda on Monday alleged that the Congress was anti-Sanatan and anti-Ram and had joined hands with anti-national forces. He said that Congress leaders were tight-lipped when a Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin compared Sanatana Dharma with dengue and malaria. He said that the Congress advocate had said in the Supreme Court that there was no scientific evidence that Lord Rama existed. Rahul Gandhi stood with the students who raised anti-national slogans in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus, and gave a Lok Sabha ticket to one of them. Nadda was addressing public meetings at Peddapalli, Choutuppal and Nalgonda as a part of his election campaign in the state. He said that Gandhis allegation that the BJP would do away with the reservation system is like a pot calling the kettle black. It was the Congress government in the undivided Andhra Pradesh that provided a four per cent quota to Muslims, which effected reservations earmarked for SCs, STs and OBCs in 2004. In Karnataka, the Congress government curtailed reservations of OBCs and gave it to Muslims. He made it clear that even half per cent of reservation of OBCs would not be curtailed after BJP retained power. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had brought a new political culture, which is accountable, performance-based and development-centric. He said that Modi was focussed on the creation of infrastructure and logistics. HIRA stands for highways, internet, railways and airways, which led to Viksit Bharat in the last ten years. Describing the AIMIM, BRS and the Congress as ABC, he said that the ABC group was carrying out the agenda of razakars in Telangana state. He announced that Telangana liberation day would be officially celebrated on September 17. Nadda said that the BRS government had opposed the PM Awas Yojana under which four crore houses were constructed in the country and cheated the people of the state in the name of 2BHK houses. He said that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy was not implementing the PM Awas Yojana. The BJP leader said that they were developing 926.5 km of new railway tracks in Telangana state. The Centre was developing 450 km NH 63 from Nizamabad to Jagdalpur via Peddapalli. Nadda said they have developed 56,000 km of national highways and 52,000 electrifications of railway lanes in the last ten years and had provided internet to 1.5 lakh gram panchayats. He also appealed the people to vote for BJP candidates Peddapallo Gomasa Srinivas, Boora Narsaiah Goud and Shanampudi Saidi Reddy.

Crop damage: Telangana govt. releases Rs.15.81 cr as input subsidy to farmers

Farmers try to salvage paddy crop damaged by the recent Cyclone Helen, in Krishna district on Sunday. - DC Farmers try to salvage paddy crop damaged by the recent Cyclone Helen, in Krishna district on Sunday. - DC Hyderabad: The State government on Monday released an amount of Rs.15.81 crore for paying input subsidy to farmers whose agriculture and horticulture crops were damaged due to heavy rains or hailstorms in 10 districts between March 16 and 21, 2024. In its order, the State government said it was providing one-time relief to 10 districts as farmers suffered crop damage and accordingly released the amount from the State Disaster Response Fund. The government gave these orders after Agriculture and Cooperation department has informed that agriculture and horticulture crops were damaged in 10 districts due to heavy rains or hailstorms and requested to release an amount of Rs.15.81 crore as a one-time measure, a relief of Rs. 10,000 per acre will be provided to farmers who suffered the loss. The 10 districts include Kamareddy, Nizamabad, Rajanna Sircilla, Siddipet, Medak, Adilabad, Nirmal, Mancherial, Karimnagar and Sangareddy. Of these districts, Kamareddy was most affected. As many as 10,328 acres covering 9,107 farmers were affected in Kamareddy due to unseasonal rains. Since Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is in force in view of Lok Sabha elections, required permission has been taken from Election Commission of India (ECI). The payment of input subsidy will be done directly to the bank accounts of farmers which should be Aadhar linked as far as possible. Payments shall be made within a period of 90 days from the date of release of funds. Every farmer will be entitled for input subsidy for only one disaster for the same agricultural season. The District Collectors should ensure that the disbursement shall be made only under strict supervision so that only genuine beneficiaries get the input subsidy, according to Secretary to Government, Rahul Bojja.

Congress Will Abandon CM Revanth Reddy After Lok Sabha Polls: Amit Shah

Amit Shah criticizes Congress for exploiting Telangana, warns of Revanth Reddy's political vulnerability, accuses corruption with RR tax, mentions Nizamabad and Sirpurkagaz Nagar, questions 'Garibi Hatao' slogan, and predicts Modi's impact on Telangana's development.

Quotas for SC, ST, OBC secure under BJP: Amit Shah

HYDERABAD: Reaffirming the BJPs stance on quotas, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that reservations for SCs, STs and OBCs would not end as long as there was at least one saffron party MP in Parliament. Addressing an election rally in Kagaznagar (Adilabad Lok Sabha constituency), he reiterated that while religious reservations will be scrapped, the quotas for SCs, STs and OBCs will be increased. He also alleged that TPCC president and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy shared a doctored video of him speaking on reservations. Referring to the case filed against him over engaging children in election campaigning, Shah, who also addressed public meetings in Nizamabad and Secunderabad on Sunday, said, I will not cry like Revanth Reddy. I will approach the high court. The senior BJP leader exuded confidence that the saffron party will emerge victorious in 10 out of the 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana. Alleging that the vote bank of the Congress and the AIMIM are the same, Shah claimed that former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi did not attend the Ram temple consecration despite being invited due to fear that their presence at the event in Ayodhya would upset their vote bank. Naxal activities to rise if Congress comes to power, says HM Amit Shah People from various places arrive in trucks to attend the public meeting of Union Home Minister Amit Shah at Parade Ground in Hyderabad on Sunday Slamming the Opposition for their lies that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will abolish reservations if the BJP secures a majority in the Lok Sabha elections, the union home minister pointed out that Modi has had the majority for 10 years. During this time, he abrogated Article 370, outlawed triple talaq and built the Ram temple, he added. Addressing a public meeting in Nizamabad, Shah alleged that while GST is collected elsewhere in the country, the RR (Rahul-Revanth) tax was being collected in the state. This tax is being sent to Delhis durbar, he added. Terming them ABC, the union home minister accused AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, the BRS and the Congress of engaging in appeasement of the Muslim community. As a part of this, they placed a ban on the Ram Shobha yatra in Hyderabad, he alleged. Taking a jibe at Kharge over his remarks on the abrogation of Article 370 at a public meeting in Secunderabad, Shah said that the Congress president was ignorant of the views of Telangana people, who are ready and willing to lay down their lives for Kashmir. Stating that while four generations of the Congress chanted Garibi Hatao slogans but did nothing to address poverty, the union home minister asserted that Modi gave houses, gas, toilets, free electricity, rations, medicines and water to 80 crore poor people. He asked voters, Tell me, what is your choice?

Temperature soars to 47C in Telangana; yellow alert for rain from May 7-9

HYDERABAD: The summer season continued to wreak havoc as the temperatures crossed 47C mark on Sunday in Telangana. Jagtial recorded the highest maximum temperature of 47.1C, while Karimnagar and Nirmal districts closely followed at 46.7C, according to the Telangana State Development and Planning Society (TSDPS) report. As per the TSDPS, 19 districts were on the red alert for extreme temperatures above 45C, while 14 others including Hyderabad were in the orange category with temperatures above 44C on Sunday. The city recorded the highest maximum temperature of 44C in Karwan and Moosapet, a slight drop from Saturday. The maximum temperatures from the previous day stood at 44.5C. One mandal in Jagtial district recorded severe heatwave conditions, whereas 50 other mandals recorded the regular heatwave conditions. As per the IMD, light rains and thunderstorms with gusty winds of around 40 kmph were experienced in the districts of Bhadradri Kothagudem, Jangaon, Mahbubnagar, Mulugu, Nagarkurnool, Rangareddy, Sangareddy, Vikarabad and Warangal, whereas moderate rains were recorded at isolated places in the districts of Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet and nearby areas. The IMD said that a cyclonic circulation persists over Marathwada and neighbourhood, owing to which, the state will experience light to moderate rains or thundershowers and lightning for next six days. Orange alert for heatwave will continue for one more day in the Adilabad, Kumurambheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Jagtial, Rajanna-Sircilla, Karimnagar, Peddapalli and Jogulamba Gadwal districts. Temperatures will see a significant dip from May 7 in most parts of the districts in the range of 36C- 40C, bringing relief from the scorching heat. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for rains and thunder showers with gusty winds around 40-50 kmph till May 9 in most of the districts including Hyderabad. For the next 48 hours, the city will experience maximum and minimum temperatures of 23C and 29C respectively, with south easterly winds around 6-8 kmph.

Senior Congress leader Sardar Ali dies

Nizamabad: Senior Congress leader Sardar Ali died at a private hospital in Hyderabad on Sunday following ill health. He contested as MLA from Nizamabad constituency in 1994 Assembly elections. His son Irfan Ali is the minority wing chairman of district Congress committee. The last rites were conducted here on Sunday. BRS MLC Farooq Hussain, Telangana state Urdu Academy chairman Taher Bin Hamdan, and others took part in the funeral.

PM Modi chose Art 370 abrogation, Ram Temple over quota removal: Amit Shah

Nizamabad , May 05 : Responding to Congress allegations that if the BJP regains power at the Centre it will remove reservation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday that Prime Minister NarendraModi has been in power for the past 10 years but instead of removing reservation he utilised the majority in the LokSabha []

MIM-Cong pact polarises votes in Nizamabad

Nizamabad: In the backdrop of Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) support to the Congress candidate T. Jeevan Reddy after 10 years, all eyes are on polarisation of Muslim and Hindu votes in the Nizamabad Parliament constituency, which goes to polls on May 13. In the changed political equations in the state, MIM extended its support to the Congress instead of the BRS. As a result, Congress leadership is confident of winning the Nizamabad seat. Of 18.85 lakh voters enrolled in the constituency, Muslims voters are around 3.83 lakh. Their presence is high in Nizamabad Urban, Bodhan and Jagtial Assembly constituencies and it is sizable in Nizamabad Rural, Armoor, Balkonda and Korutla Assembly segments. MIM support became the backbone for TRS to win MP, MLA seats in Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency limits. To support TRS and avoid a split in votes, the MIM did not field its candidates in its strongholds during the Assembly elections. In the recent Assembly elections, although MIM supported the BRS, Muslim votes were divided and Congress rode to power. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Telangana State Urdu Academy chairman Taher Bin Hamdan said that MIMs decision would boost the winning prospects of the Congress. We are hopeful that Muslims will support Jeevan Reddy so as to protect the secular fabric, he said. TPCC NRI cell convener Sheik Chand Pasha also opined that this move will yield good results for the Congress and especially for the secular forces. Around four lakh Muslims are certain to support the candidature of Jeevan Reddy, he opined. The BJP is expecting to gain from the polarisation. MIMs support to the Congress candidate will force the Hindu voters to go with the BJP, they contended. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior BJP leader said, on condition of anonymity, that people have decided to vote for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There is no need for Hindutva politics ahead of polling as the moves of opposition parties will benefit the BJP, he maintained. The true colours of Congress, BRS and MIM leaders that have been exposed will prompt the voters to re-elect Dharmapuri Arvind, he said.

AICC High Command will Replace Revanth After LS Poll Results: Amit Shah

Hyderabad: Union home minister Amit Shah claimed that the Congress leadership would not allow Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to continue in the post after June 4, once the Lok Sabha election results are declared. He said Revanth Reddy was collecting `RR Tax (Rahul and Revanth Tax) at the behest of the party high command by squeezing the people. The Congress was using the money for its election campaign across the country. Addressing a public meeting at Parade Ground here, in support of party Malkajgiri candidate Etala Rajendar, and in Nizamabad for Dharmapuri Arvind, on Sunday, Shah assured that the BJP government at the Centre would ensure that the corrupt ATM of the Congress would be devoid of any cash, if the Telangana people blessed the party with 12 Lok Sabha seats and an MLA from the Secunderabad Cantonment Assembly bypoll. Referring to a case filed against him by the city police after children were seen on the dais with him, Shah said that he will not cry like Revanth Reddy and that the case would be quashed in the High Court. Asking the people to elect Etala Rajendar from Malkajgiri, who belonged to the BC community, Shah said that the BJP would remove Muslim reservations and extend the same to the BCs, SCs and STs. The Congress was rephrasing this message and indulging in a false campaign against him. The Modi government had not removed any reservations. It banned triple talaq, abrogated Article 370 and constructed the Lord Rama temple in Ayodhya. As long as Modi and BJP are in this country, no one can remove reservations, he said. Alleging that the I.N.D.I alliance was a group without any acceptable leader, Shah asked people to choose between the Congress, which had indulged in scams to the tune of `12 lakh crore, and Modi, who had not faced a single corruption charge in his 10-year stint as Prime Minister nor when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat. Modi celebrates Diwali with jawans at the border, while Rahul Gandhi goes on a jolly trip to Bangkok, unable to bear the rising temperatures, he mocked. Addressing a public meeting in Nizamabad, Shah said that the Modi government would root out Naxalism. It had checked Pakistan-sponsored terror incidents. After the surgical strikes, Pakistan had realised that it was Modi and not Manmohan Singh who was in power in Delhi. Charging the Congress and BRS with adopting vote bank politics, Shah said that AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, the BRS and Congress, were known as the `ABC of Telangana and were busy in appeasement politics. The Congress government had not given permission for the Rama Navami Shobha Yatra to appease Owaisi, he said. Reacting to the doctored video featuring him, Shah said that Delhi police would approach Revanth Reddy in this regard. How can they spare you for releasing a fake video, he wondered. The Union home minister found fault with AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge for his remarks that people of the southern states were no way concerned about Jammu and Kashmir. He called upon people to elect Dharmapuri Arvind from Nizamabad for the second time in order to strengthen Modis leadership. Arvind had pursued the matter with the Prime Minister and secured the Turmeric Board for Nizamabad, he said. He said that the BJP-led Centre would establish a bidi workers hospital in Nizamabad and also reopen the Nizam Sugar Factory. Stating that people were searching for Congress candidate T. Jeevan Reddy, who has been the MLC for over five years, Amit Shah said that, on the contrary, Arvind will always be available for the people. Unlike the conventional trend of having a big public meeting for multiple constituencies and leaders, Rajendar opted for a big meeting for only the Malkajgiri constituency at Parade Ground on Sunday. Fans and followers of the party ensured a big turnout despite the sweltering hot weather.

KCR to Address Corner Meeting in Nizamabad

Nizamabad: BRS president, former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao will address a corner meeting in Nizamabad on May 6. He will enter the district at Kammarpally from Jagtial on Monday evening and will reach Nizamabad by 5.30 pm. A road show will be conducted from the old collectorate to Nehru Park in the town. KCR will address the public seeking votes for BRS MP candidate Bajireddy Govardhan. He will halt at night in Nizamabad and meet people of different sections on Tuesday morning. Then, ge will leave for Kamareddy district. Balkonda MLA V. Prashanth Reddy on Sunday urged the people to make a grand success of the BRS road show on May 6. He added that the people were showing separate Telangana movement-like respect to KCR during his road shows. BRS MP candidate Bajireddy Govardhan, BRS district president A. Jeevan Reddy, former MLA Bigala Ganesh Gupta and others were present.

BJP Committed to Preserving Caste-Based Reservations for SC, ST, and OBC Communities: Amit Shah

BJP Committed to Preserving Caste-Based Reservations for SC, ST, and OBC Communities: Amit Shah Reservations for SC, ST, OBCs would not end as long as there is even one BJP MP in Parliament, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday. Shah, who addressed election rallies at Kagaznagar and Nizamabad in Telangana, said Congress fights elections on the basis of lies and referred to the grand old party's campaign that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would end quotas if BJP is given 400 seats in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. The Congress said Modi would scrap reservations if he gets a majority, but Modi has been having a full majority for the last 10 years, he said. The prime minister did not use the advantage (majority seats) to scrap reservations but only to remove Article 370, end triple talaq, ban the Popular Front of India (PFI) and construct a Ram temple in Ayodhya, he said. ''They want to say that we will end reservations. I give you a Modi guarantee today. As long as there is even a single BJP member in the country's parliament, we will not let Dalit, Adivasi, OBC reservations end,'' he said. Referring to the case over his doctored video being circulated on social media, Shah alleged that Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy also forwarded the video. On Reddy's allegation that the Delhi police are after him (in the case of doctored video), Shah asked as to what else would happen if a fake video is made. Observing that Muslim reservation is not Constitutional, he said the BJP would scrap it when it forms government in Telangana and would increase the quotas for Adivasis and Dalits. The Congress curtailed the reservations of OBC, ST, SC and gave to Muslims, he said. PM Modi removed triple talaq but Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says his party, if it comes to power, would bring triple talaq again, the BJP top leader alleged. The Congress wants to run the country as per Muslim personal law, he claimed. The senior BJP leader also alleged that AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi did not attend the Ram Temple consecration despite being invited for fear of their vote bank. He said the vote bank of Congress and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi is the same. There are two camps in the present elections - NDA led by PM Modi and the 'Indi alliance' led by Rahul Gandhi, he said. While there is Modi, who works tirelessly and even celebrates Deepawali with soldiers, there is ''Rahul baba who goes to Bangkok, Thailand for holiday with a slight increase in temperatures,'' he said. Alleging that the BRS and Congress are scared of Owaisi, Shah questioned whether Congress or BRS could save Telangana from Owaisi. ''They have done ABC of appeasement. A - Asaduddin Owaisi, B- BRS, C- Congress,'' he said. The Congress has made Telangana its ATM, he charged. While GST is imposed in the entire country, 'RR tax' is imposed in Telangana, he alleged. 'RR tax' is 'Rahul-Revanth tax', he claimed. Shah exuded confidence that the BJP would win more than 10 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana out of the total 17. The state goes to polls on May 13. In his address at another rally in Hyderabad, Shah said as long as Modi and BJP are there, none will be allowed to scrap reservations in the country. Alleging that Congress, BRS and AIMIM indulge in appeasement, he said the parties are such that they cancel permission for the Ram Navami procession for the sake of the Muslim vote bank. He asked as to who will be prime minister if the INDI Alliance comes to power, though it is not going to happen. Mentioning the names of leaders, including Sharad Pawar, Mamata Banerjee, M K Stalin, Uddhav Thackeray and Rahul Gandhi, he asked whether they could be made prime minister. Shah said when a query was put to the INDIA bloc leaders by a journalist, they stated that, by turns, all will become prime minister for one year. The country is not like a shop that will run on partnership, he said. Urging the people to vote for BJP candidate D Arvind in Nizamabad, Shah said the EVM button should be pressed so strongly that the ''current is felt in Italy''. Referring to the case registered against him in Hyderabad, Shah said he will not ''weep'' like Revanth Reddy over the case but get quashed in high court. The city police have registered a case against Shah, BJP Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency candidate K Madhavi Latha and other BJP leaders for allegedly using minors in a poll campaign here recently. In a complaint to the Telangana Chief Electoral Officer, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee vice-president Niranjan alleged that on May 1 during a BJP rally from Laldawaza to Sudha Talkies, a few minor children were on the dais with Shah. The Congress leader alleged that a child was seen with a BJP symbol, highlighting that it was a clear violation of the guidelines of the Election Commission.

Amit Shah: Naxalism Rooted Out After Modi Become Third Time PM

NIZAMABAD: Union home minister Amit Shah said that after Narendra Modi become Prime Minister for the third time will root out Naxalism from India. Modi had succeeded to control the terrorism in the country, he said. Despite, few parts of Chhattisgarh, naxalism from Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha rooted out, he said. For the integrated development and welfare of the poor, people should vote for Lotus to elect Modi as PM for the third time, he urged. As part of the Parliament election campaign, Amit Shah addressed a public meeting here at Government Giriraj college ground on Sunday on behalf of BJP MP candidate Arvind Dharmapuri. The Union home minister said that Modi controlled the terrorism successfully. After the terrorist attack in Pulwama, Modi gave fitting lesson to Pakistan by conducting surgical strikes, he said. He said that Congress, BRS parties always appease the Muslims for vote bank politics. Congress leaders were afraid of MIM party and its chief Owaisi for vote bank politics, he criticised.

Jeevan Reddy Asserts BJP's Downfall Amidst Poll Battle in Nizamabad

T. Jeevan Reddy outlines promises for Nizamabad's development, criticizes BJP's reservation policies, and emphasizes a secular approach in electoral appeal

Telangana: Jeevan didnt slap me, clarifies woman labourer

NIZAMABAD: A day after a clip of Nizamabad Congress candidate T Jeevan Reddy purportedly slapping a woman labourer in Govindpet village of Armoor mandal, she issued a clarification that the former MLC didnt assault her. She said the Congress leader asked her to vote for the party to enjoy the benefits of government programmes. The woman, who didnt give her name, told reporters on Saturday that Jeevan was being unnecessarily blamed. The Congress candidate had visited Govindpet village on Friday as part of his election campaign, where he engaged with Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGREGA) labourers at their work site. During the interaction, the woman labourer expressed her grievances to Jeevan, mentioning the lack of land or garden to grow crops apart from the non-disbursal of monthly pensions. She also said she would vote for the flower symbol. In the video, the Congress nominee is reportedly seen getting angry and then telling her to vote for the hand symbol. Meanwhile, a video showing Jeevan slapping the woman on her cheek went viral on social media, leading to criticism from one and all. On Saturday, the woman labourer clarified to the media that Jeevan did not slap her but merely touched her cheek. She emphasised that the incident was being misconstrued and misrepresented by others.

Strategy-wise, Telangana BJP way ahead of its rivals

HYDERABAD: With the Lok Sabha elections looming large and campaigning reaching a crescendo, the Telangana unit of the BJP is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to connect with voters at the grassroots level. The party has intensified its ground-level campaigning while its leaders monitor daily reports on the situation and issue instructions to candidates and in-charges. Election management wings have been established at the state headquarters. These wings are going through updates on the progress of campaigning efforts and voter outreach. The party is maintaining a database of beneficiaries of Union government schemes over the past decade. Booth committee members are now approaching them and seeking support for the partys candidates. The party workers are knocking the door of every beneficiary with pamphlets and copies of the BJP manifesto highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modis guarantees and the developmental work done of the past decade. Simultaneously, the party is cracking down on any negligence in the campaign, with the national leadership issuing warnings whenever needed. Additionally, BJP leaders appointed as in-charges for each Lok Sabha constituency are providing feedback on campaign progress and gauging public sentiment. Party leaders say that the in-charges are working tirelessly to ensure the success of Modis and Amit Shahs rallies in the state. Senior BJP leaders are closely monitoring developments from the party headquarters, addressing any issues at the ground level in real-time. The national leadership is optimistic that the party would achieve its target of winning eight to 10 of the 17 Lok Sabha seats in the state. According to party sources, BJP candidates have an edge 12 constituencies Adilabad, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Medak, Malkajgiri, Secunderabad, Zaheerabad, Chevella, Mahbubnagar, Bhongir, Warangal and Nagarkurnool. Senior leaders told TNIE that despite the challenge from their rivals, the BJP expects a favourable result in most constituencies, and has a clear advantage in eight constituencies with less than 10 days left for polling. The remaining four are too close to call, given the fact that the contest is triangular in these seats.

Hyderabad records 44.5C as heatwave continues to scorch Telangana

HYDERABAD: The city experienced yet another highest maximum temperature of this summer season as the mercury levels soared to 44.5C in Quthbullapur and Chandanagar on Saturday. The temperatures in the GHMC limits remained well above 42C as the city was under orange alert as per a Telangana State Development and Planning Society report. The maximum temperatures also continued to see a rise with Jagtial and Karimnagar topping the charts at 46.8C, followed by Nalgonda at 46.7C and Narayanpet and Nizamabad at 46.4C, reported the TSDPS. Red alert was in place in 26 districts where the temperatures remained above 45C, while seven districts which recorded temperatures above 43C were on an orange alert. Following the pattern of Friday, 95 mandals experienced heat wave conditions, indicating the extreme weather the state is exposed to at the peak of the summers. Severe heatwave conditions were recorded at isolated places in Jogulamba Gadwal and Mahbubnagar districts, while heatwave conditions prevailed over 20 districts including Rajendranagar and Medchal-Malkajgiri. The maximum temperatures recorded the same day in the previous year was 39.8C in the state with a stark difference of seven degrees, showing the severity of summer this year. The city recorded a sharp difference of 10.8C compared to the maximum temperatures for the same day last year. As per the IMD, the minimum temperatures also remained significantly high with Rajendranagar recording the highest minimum temperature of 29C, with a departure of 4.2C. As per the IMD reports, light to moderate rains and light thunderstorms were experienced at isolated places in Khammam and Suryapet districts. The IMD said that under the influence of a cyclonic circulation prevailing over Marathwada and neighbourhood and extending up to 1.5 km above mean sea-level, the state will experience light to moderate rains or thudershowers at isolated places for the next six days till May 10. In addition, prolonged heatwave conditions will prevail over the districts of Adilabad, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Jagtial, Rajanna Sircilla, Kamareddy, Mahbubnagar, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy, Narayanpet, Jogulamba Gadwal and for next two days and an orange alert has been issued for the same. The state is likely to experience light to moderate rains and thunderstorms with gusty winds around 30-40 kmph and a yellow alert has been issued for the same from May 6 to May 8.

Amit Shah to canvass in 3 constituencies today

Amit Shah to campaign in Adilabad, Nizamabad, Secunderabad on Sunday. He will address public meetings at various grounds, joined by party nominees like G Kishan Reddy, Eatala Rajendar, G Nagesh, and Arvind Dharmapuri.

OU law student throws hat in Nizamabad poll ring, hopes to highlight local issues

Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Address Election Rallies in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

Amit Shah to campaign in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for BJP candidates. He will attend rallies in Sirpur Kagaznagar, Nizamabad, Hyderabad, and Dharmavaram. TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu and Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan will join him in Dharmavaram.

NETA NATTER | 2024 ELECTIONS, A TALE OF DONKEYS AND CROWS?

Crows in Telangana better watch out. TPCC president and Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy the other day declared that even if a crow from the BRS wants to land on a Congress wall, his party workers would shoot it down. His comments came while countering the BJP narrative that the Congress and the BRS were together and his allusion was to the old Telugu adage on personal rivalries and how crows from one house wont even land on the home of a rival. Swooping down on Revanths comments, BRS leader T. Harish Rao declared that the CM had nothing much to crow about after having admitted a slew of BRS leaders into his party, and even giving them tickets to contest the LS polls. What you allowed to land in your territory are eagles and kites. Be careful about them, was Harishs advice to Revanth. Now that they appear to have been done with birds, the Congress has launched a new campaign evoking donkeys with its Gadida Guddu campaign, playing again on how the BJP government at the Centre gave nothing to Telangana. Of course, donkeys dont lay eggs, and just as that has never happened, all that the BJP has given is a non-existent donkeys egg, is the Congress contention. With just about a week to go for the polls, it remains to be seen if anymore of Gods creatures will make it to the political shoot-outs now on in Telangana. CANDIDATE THREATENS VOTERS WITH EXPULSION In an electoral season that has seen its fair share of promises, parades, and pandemonium, Mekapati Rajagopal Reddy, YSRC candidate for the Udayagiri Assembly segment, has arguably taken campaigning to a new controversial high. At a recent campaign event in Mulapalle and Shakunalapalle villages, Rajagopal decided to spice things up by issuing a rather medieval edict: Vote for the cycle symbol and find yourself excommunicated from the village. Rajagopals approach to voter persuasion was immediately met with dismay and outrage from villagers, who expressed disbelief at being treated as serfs in their own land. Opposition leaders seized the opportunity, denouncing Reddys threats as an affront to the very foundations of democracy. REVANTH THE CRICKETER TO THE CONGRESS RESCUE Politics in some ways is like cricket. History is replete with last minute googlies from one party bowling the other out. The LS elections, Telangana state Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy appears to have decided, provide the perfect pitch for some hard hitting aimed at the BJP and the BRS. And with the ongoing IPL raising passions, to woo younger voters, Revanth has been talking about how the last Assembly polls were the semi-finals and the Lok Sabha polls the finals. The Congress trounced KCR in the semi-finals last December and will defeat Narendra Modi in the finals on May 13, is his pitch. The CM has also been bowling some beamers at the BRS and the BJP, comparing them with the Bangladesh and Pakistan cricket teams. The Congress defeated Bangladesh in the semi-finals and entered the finals where it will face Pakistan on May 13, indicating just how fierce the battle between the Congress and the BJP is, just like a cricket match between India and Pakistan. Not stopping there, he also says the LS polls are also a match between Telangana and Gujarat teams, adding the state team will duck out Modi and Amit Shah on May 13 and register a grand victory. TD, YSRC CONTINUE WITH THEIR PROMISES Once written manifestos are by no means a legal document with which people can hold political parties accountable, but that does not stop them from going at each other, waving the other sides manifesto and pointing out just how the promises made were not kept. Doing this has been AP Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy who has taken to showing to the public TDs 2014 manifesto, and reading out aloud every promise TD chief N. Chandrababu Naidu failed to fulfil. The promises by the TD then were impractical, and the ones now are impossible, goes Jagan. For the YSRC manifesto? Jagan says he fulfilled 99 per cent of promises in his partys 2019 manifesto and vows to come up with more welfare and development in the future. Whether the TD, or the YSRC, who the people believe in will all become clear soon enough. BRITISH VS ITALIANS THIS TIME AROUND Whats in a name? Clearly a lot when it comes to taking potshots at one another by political parties amidst the electioneering heat. In other times, too, as the renaming of the TRS as the BRS showed, it lost some of its sheen as the party that stands up for the state. That aside, the campaigning has shown that if left to themselves, leaders will play on acronyms of party names and try to reap political benefit as is being witnessed in Telangana. The other day, after Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy called the BJP British Janata Party, BJP state president and Union minister G. Kishan Reddy hit back calling the Indian National Congress, the Italian National Congress. And so it goes FROM KAPU TO REDDY IN ONE ELECTION? Senior Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham often makes puzzling statements, leaving those around him scratching their heads. The other day, he said if he cannot defeat Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan in the Assembly elections, he will change his name to Padmanabha Reddy leaving many from the Reddy community wondering what was up with the Kapu leader. However, some Kapus who expressed support to Pawan Kalyan, commented that Padmanabham can call himself whatever he wants, and issue meaningless challenges but cannot defeat the Jana Sena chief. ONLY RICH CAN CONTEST THESE DAYS: SRIBHARAT Can cash carry an election? Or rather, how rich should a candidate be to contest and have hopes of winning? The answer to this was provided, sort of, by M. Sribharat, the TDs MP candidate from Visakhapatnam, who also found himself in hot water after his remarks at a speech on Viksit Bharat that were made in the presence of Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, a poll ally. Addressing students, Bharat implied that one needs substantial financial resources to run for a Lok Sabha seat and cited Sitharamans absence from the electoral fray as an example. He remarked that he, unfortunately or fortunately, was contesting the 2024 elections because of this financial factor. The comments unfortunately for the man have not gone down well within his party. FUTURE UNCERTAIN THANKS TO POLITICAL MIGRATION Friends? Enemies? Frenemies? Leaders from the BJP, Congress and the BRS in the erstwhile unified Adilabad district are a confused lot these days what with migrations from one party to another by leaders and their followers leaving the long-timers in such parties wondering what their future or roles will be. Some leaders and former MLAs are clearly a frustrated lot with their political enemies joining their parties, while others are happy to see their enemies leave their political homes and go to another with little impact on their own prospects. All the migrants are wondering if they did the right thing as they are not receiving the kind of support they expected from the long-timers in the parties they joined recently. The latest such instance is that of former minister A. Indrakaran Reddy who joined the Congress after quitting the BRS, leaving Nirmal district Congress president K. Srihari Rao gnashing his teeth in frustration. HOT SUN PLAYS SPOILSPORT THIS ELECTION Step out into the open and the searing sun hits you. The heat from the previous day still hangs over the air like a heavy blanket. Campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls this summer is proving a challenge for political parties and their candidates, with the latter literally sweating it out every day. Public meetings are sought to be completed by 11 am, something that was not heard of in the past. Candidates from various parties in Nizamabad, setting their political differences aside, have urged the ECI to allow campaigning after the 10 pm deadline, and are keeping their fingers crossed hoping the ECI would hear their plea. Contributions from Pillalamarri Srinivas, Narender Pulloor, Balu Pulipaka, Laxmi Pranathi, Vadrevu Srinivas, Sampat G. Samritan, G. Ram Mohan, L. Venkat Ram Reddy, Avinash P. Subramanyam

IMD Forecasts Rainfall in Telangana

Though the vulnerability component of India (exposure index) is not that high (11.9 per cent), its lack of ability to cope with disasters is very high (80.2 percent). Though the vulnerability component of India (exposure index) is not that high (11.9 per cent), its lack of ability to cope with disasters is very high (80.2 percent). Hyderabad: Telangana might get a relief from the scorching temperatures as IMD predicted Light to Moderate rains in parts of the State from May 6. Thunderstorm accompanied with Lightning and gusty winds(30-40 kmph) very likely to occur at isolated places in Nizamabad, Rajanna Sirsilla, Jayashankar-Bhupalapally, Mulugu, Bhadradri-Kothagudem, Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Mahabubabad, Warangal, Hanamkonda, Rangareddy, Hyderabad, Medchal-Malkajigiri, Medak, Nagarkurnool districts of Telangana, said the press release. For Hyderabad, partly cloudy sky has been forecasted for the next 48 hours. Maximum and Minimum Temperatures are likely to be around 43C and 27C respectively, added the release. Telangana is reeling under severe heatwave with temperatures reaching close to 47C.

Amit Shah to Address 3 Public Meetings in Telangana on Sunday

Hyderabad: Union home minister Amit Shah is scheduled to address three election campaign meetings in the state on Sunday, including one at the Parade Ground at Secunderabad, for the May 13 Lok Sabha polls. He is scheduled to address the first meeting at noon at SPM Cricket Ground in Kagaznagar, to canvass votes for party Adilabad candidate Godam Nagesh. At 2 pm, he will address a meeting at Nizamabad's Giriraj College ground in support for party candidate Dharmapuri Arvind. At 4.30 pm, Shah will address a public meeting at Parade Ground in Secunderabad. TS BJP chief and Union minister G. Kishan Reddy and Etala Rajendar, party candidates from Secunderabad and Malkajgiri, will take part, said N.V. Subhash, official spokesperson of the party.

Isnt this defaming me?, asks woman who was purportedly slapped by Congress Nizamabad MP

The News Mill

Telangana: Nizamabad Congress candidate slaps an old woman after she says she would vote for flower symbol, video goes viral

Jeevan Reddy reportedly slapped an old woman after she stated her intention to vote for the 'flower' symbol in the May 13 election.

Telangana Congress candidate Jeevan Reddy slaps woman after she says will vote for 'flower' symbol

Tatiparthi Jeevan Reddy, a prominent Congress figure and candidate for the Nizamabad Lok Sabha seat, became embroiled in controversy after reportedly slapping a woman who indicated her intention to vote for the 'flower' symbol in the upcoming May 13 election.

Dharmapuri Arvind: Poll stunt, not plan to revive sugar factories

NIZAMABAD: BJP candidate Dharmapuri Arvind on Friday described the decision of the state government to release Rs 43 crore for the revival of closed sugar factories in Nizamabad, Jagtial and Medak districts as an election stunt by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. Arvind was addressing a press conference at the BJP office here on Friday. He alleged that the state government paid Rs 43 crore to one of the banks to attract the attention of sugarcane farmers, employees and workers, instead of clearing the pending loans through instalments. Revanth already appointed a committee to look into the reopening of sugar factories. The committee members are saying that sugar factories will be reopened by the end of 2025. In the meantime, the CM made a statement that the sugar factories would reopen before September 17, Arvind said. He said that the chief ministers statement was made without taking into consideration the report filed by the committee. The committee members have no self-respect, they should resign in protest that their report was disregarded, Arvind said. He said that if the government genuinely wanted to revive the sugar factories, it would need to pump in Rs 700 to Rs 800 crore. The government should do a lot of legwork and prepare an action plan. The chief minister did not do any such exercise. He is simply doing election stunts, Arvind said. He said the chief minister should utilise his experience in the real estate business to resolve the issue of reviving sugar factories. This is not the correct way to revive the sugar factories. The Centre had conducted a year-long exercise and came up with a perfect action plan for the revival, Arvind said. Turning his attention to the election campaign, he quoted Modis words that as long as BJP was in power in the country, there was no threat to SC, ST, BC and OBC reservations.

Video: Telangana Congress Candidate Slaps Woman During Campaign

Senior Congress leader and party candidate from Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency T. Jeevan Reddy, has landed in a controversy after he slapped a woman.

Telangana: Congress candidate Jeevan Reddy slaps woman

Hyderabad: Senior Congress leader and party candidate from Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency T. Jeevan Reddy, has landed in a controversy after he slapped a woman. A video of the former minister slapping a woman during campaigning was widely circulated on social media on Friday. The incident occurred in a village in the Armur Assembly segment Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .