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Book Review | Brilliance, empathy, simplicity qualities that define Subbarao

Subbarao, Subba as we call him, is my IAS batchmate. I still recall vividly the first time I met him on that mid-July day in 1972 when all of us reported for training at the Mussoorie Academy. In fact, all 150 of us in the batch were seeking out Subba to secretly size him up and check what put him on the top. Subba, for his part, was distinctly uncomfortable with this attention and must have been hoping that this scrutiny would be over soon. Over the next two years that we spent together in Mussoorie, I realised what made Subba special a rare blend of brilliance, empathy and an unassuming personality. Although we moved apart after the training period he to Andhra Pradesh and I to Tamil Nadu Ive followed his extraordinary journey to the top of the civil service and then as Governor of the Reserve Bank of India with interest and admiration. I was mildly apprehensive therefore when I set out to read Subbas book. Like most civil service memoirs, would he too fall into the trap of glorifying his story and hiding his failures, and break my carefully preserved image of him? I need not have feared. Subba tells his story with rare candour and honesty; the easy flowing language and subtle self-deprecating humour are a bonus. The subtitle of the book Notes from My Life and Career is significant. Unlike in a conventional memoir where the author is the driver taking the readers along on his journey, in these notes, Subba, very characteristically, tells his story as if he was a bystander allowing the reader to make their own inferences. As collector of Khammam district, Subba stood up to Chief Minister Chenna Reddy in implementing the protective legislation for tribals. As finance secretary in Delhi, he went against vested interests by arguing that the price at which spectrum is given away should be rediscovered through a fresh auction. As RBI governor, he famously fought for the autonomy of the central bank. In any other memoir, these would have been tales of heroism; in Subbas narration though they are just mere episodes in his career. Empathy is an attribute that I associate with Subba and that comes through clearly in the stories he tells, for example, of his encounter with Md Azharuddin which illustrates the ebb and flow of life, his feelings of guilt for overlooking a former leprosy-affected person for the post of his jeep driver and the stoicism of his daffedar who turns up for duty barely four hours after his wife of 30 years had died. Another trait that distinguishes these notes from conventional memoirs is that Subba admits his mistakes candidly and reflects on his dilemmas in an insightful and instructive way. As his tenure as collector of Khammam aborted in just nine months, he wonders if he moved hastily without understanding the ground situation and thereby lost the war in trying to win the battle. He admits to vanity when he thought that his posting as officer on special duty for bottling liquor was not important enough given his track record. As governor of RBI, he earned the moniker of baby-step Subbarao for raising interest rates in only baby steps even as inflation was touching double digits. He admits to his realisation in hindsight that the economy would have been better served if his monetary tightening had started sooner and had been faster and stronger. Few policymakers have been so forthright and honest. Now some quibbles. Even as I enjoyed reading the Mercenary as a matter of fact I finished it in just two sittings when I was done, it left me with a vague sense of incompleteness, the feeling that Subba should have dived deeper into some of the issues. For example, a couple of years ago, he wrote an op-ed in a major newspaper under the title Has the IAS Failed the Nation? where he bemoans the intellectual and moral decline of the IAS. Why did he not expand on that to give his views on how the IAS should be restructured and reinvented? In a very touching letter to his departed mother which forms the last chapter of the book, Subba dwells on the difficulty of following ones dharma . But he also says that it is sometimes difficult to even discern what ones dharma is. Why did he not illustrate with some life experiences? Quibbles apart, at the end of the story, do we get to know what is the magic formula for getting from the IAS to the governorship of the RBI? This is not meant to be a guidebook, but it most certainly lives up to the blurb of informing and inspiring young professionals to find a way up their career ladders and finding meaning in their journeys. Dr C.K. Gariyali, an officer of 1972 batch of Indian Administrative Service, has served both as secretary to the chief minister and as secretary to the governor of Tamil Nadu. Post-retirement she is a fulltime social activist and author. She serves on the board of several charities and is founder of Schizophrenia Research foundation of India as well as EDIT, the charity of Equitas Bank. She has authored 17 books, including Kashmir the Land of Kashyapa. Just a Mercenary? Notes from My Life and Career By Duvvuri Subbarao Penguin India pp. 336; Rs 799

Deccan Chronicle 18 May 2024 2:06 pm

Telangana: Man kills mother, two children in Khammam

Hyderabad: A man killed his mother and two children at Tallada mandal in Khammam district of Telangana on Friday night. Venkateshwarlu, a farmer lived along with mother Pittala Pochamma, 60, and children Niraj, 10 and Khushi,6, at Gopalpet village in Tallada mandal in Khammam district. On Friday night, he killed his two children and mother 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 .

The Siasat Daily 18 May 2024 12:44 pm

Khammam man kills mother, daughters; financial issues suspected

Khammam : In a gruesome incident, a man killed his mother and two children at Gopalapet village of Thallada mandal in Khammam district in the early hours of Saturday and escaped. Pittala Venkateshwarlu was living with his mother and two children in his house at Gopalapet. He killed his mother Pichamma(60) and his two daughters Neeraja(10) and Jhansi (6). After committing the crime he fled from the place. The locals found the three were lying dead in the house and informed the police. It is suspected that family dispute and financial problems were the reason behind the crime. More details are awaited. The wife of Venkateshwarlu died years ago under suspicious condition.

Deccan Chronicle 18 May 2024 10:29 am

After LS polls, Telangana parties now gearing up for key MLC by-poll

Hyderabad: While the polling for the Lok Sabha elections in Telangana has ended, the political heat continues as the major political players have intensified their campaign for the by-election of the Member of Legislative Council (MLC) from the Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Graduates constituency. The candidates of the ruling Congress and opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and Bharatiya 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 .

The Siasat Daily 18 May 2024 7:24 am

BRS future hangs on the outcome of Lok Sabha polls

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had asserted more than once during the recent Lok Sabha election campaign that the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) would be wiped out after the polls. The car has gone to the mechanics shed and it will never come back. It will be sold as scrap, Revanth Reddy had said. The poll outcome on June 4 will decide which way the pink party will go. If the party manages to open its account by securing at least one Lok Sabha seat, the party would struggle to continue in state politics. But, if the party drew a blank, the decline of the BRS would be speedier than expected as was seen after the defeat in the recent Assembly elections when its leaders and cadres moved away in droves to other parties. A wipe-out would definitely send the danger bells ringing for the party, sources said. BRS sources have said that the 17-day-long bus yatra taken out by BRS president and former chief minister K. Chandashekar Rao had helped to halt the erosion of the base of the party and sustain hope among its on-ground workers of the party Chandrashekar Raos yatra began on April 24 and concluded on May 10, just before the Lok Sabha polls. It is to be noted that TPCC president and Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had announced on April 16 at a meet the press programme that he was opening the 'gates' of the party as part of `Operation Akarsh', with BRS MP from Chevella G. Ranjith Reddy and BRS MLA from Khairatabad Danam Nagender joining the Congress. Besides senior leaders like K. Keshava Rao, four MPs of the BRS left the party and three of them joined the BJP and one the Congress. Venkatesh Neta from Peddapalli, B.B. Patil from Zaheerabad and Ramulu Naik from Nagarkurnool have joined the BJP and while Ranjith Reddy from Chevella joined the Congress and was given the party nomination for the Lok Sabha polls. Apart from Nagender, representing the Khairatabad Assembly segment, BRS legislators Kadiam Srihari from Station Ghanpur and Tellam Venkat Rao from Bhadrachalam left the pink party and joined the Congress. Madan Reddy, former MLA from Narsapur, and A. Indrakaran Reddy, former MLA from Nirmal, also joined the ruling party in the state. Besides them, scores of elected representatives from urban and rural local bodies have switched over to the Congress. At several places, BRS leaders have been replaced after no-confidence motions. This apart from BRS leaders taking their cadres along with them to the Congress and the BJP. When the party ranks was emptying with one leader after another joining the Congress and Revanth Reddy announcing the opening of gates of the party, the BRS president huddled with close aides and launched the bus yatra to try and stem the flow. BRS sources said the bus yatra had stopped another set of four BRS MLAs from joining the Congress. Sunita Laxma Reddy from Narsapur, Kotha Prakash Reddy from Dubbaka, Banda Prakash from Rajendranagar and Mahipal Reddy from Patancheru had all met Revanth Reddy just before Chandrashekar Rao embarked on the bus yatra and it was speculated that they would join the Congress. However, they have not joined the Congress so far. The bus yatra by the party chief forced the BRS leaders to pause and watch the situation. BRS sources said that the party candidates had given a creditable performance in the Lok Sabha elections at the Medak, Khammam, Mahbubabad and Secunderabad constituencies and hoped to win at least two seats, though the party was pinning its hopes on Medak. A party leader maintained that a win in Medak would lend a fresh lease of life to the party, else it would be difficult to maintain the momentum and retain its image as a credible Opposition party in the state.

Deccan Chronicle 17 May 2024 11:42 pm

Men outshine women in casting vote in Lok Sabha elections in Telangana

Hyderabad: Men outshine women in casting their vote during Lok Sabha elections conducted in Telangana on May 13. Around 66.07 per cent men voters while 65.29 per cent women voters and 30.25 per cent others exercised their franchise in 17 Parliament constituencies in the State, registering a total poll percentage of 65.67. Highest number of men and women voters accounting to 78.21 per cent and 75.38 per cent, respectively, from Bhongir Parliament constituency took part in voting. This was followed by Khammam with 76.98 per cent men voters and 75.27 per cent women voters respectively, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI). Out of 17 constituencies, Secunderabad Parliament constituency registered low turnout with only 49.42 per cent men and 48.64 women voters casting their vote. This was followed by Hyderabad constituency with 49.99 per cent men and 46.93 per cent women voters exercising their franchise. Seventeen Parliament constituencies in Telangana were among the 96 constituencies where phase-IV Lok Sabha elections were conducted on May 13. Voters from Khammam, Nalgonda, Adilabad, Medak and Mahubnagar constituencies also took part in voting in large numbers. Lok Sabha elections-2024 has seen the voter turnout at polling stations of about 66.95 per cent so far in the country, as approximately 451 million people have voted during the first four phases of ongoing general elections in India, the ECI said. As a part of its outreach to enhance voter turnout, the ECI has introduced an array of various interventions, to appeal and motivate voters to cast their vote, during ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Following a request from ECI, various institutions, influencers and celebrities having significant reach are working enthusiastically on a pro-bono basis underlining the importance of casting a vote to elect a right candidate. The ECI felt that a high voter turnout would be a message from Indian voters to the world, about the strength of Indian Democracy. Elaborate security arrangements made for the smooth conduct of the elections also played a crucial role in bringing more number of voters to polling booths this time, officials said.

Deccan Chronicle 17 May 2024 5:05 pm

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.

Deccan Chronicle 16 May 2024 9:16 pm

BJP Will Win 12 LS Seats in Telangana: Etala

NALGONDA: BJP leader Etela Rajendar on Thursday exuded confidence that his party would win 12 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana as neutral voters, youth, educated and intellectual people have favoured the party in Lok Sabha elections. Speaking to media on the sidelines of the partys preparatory meeting for Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Graduates MLC elections here, Rajendar said the wave of Prime Minister Narendra Modis popularity continued in the Lok Sabha elections. Out of 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana, the BJP will win 12, he said, adding the vote percentage of BJP candidates in this election would significantly go up in all 17 Lok Sabha seats. He said the BJP would retain power at the Centre by winning 400 Lok Sabha seats. The BJP is the only political party capable of ensuring a stable and corruption free governance model for people. He listed out the scams that had taken place during Congress governments. He said the Congress government lost faith of people in a short time because of its poor governance. The Congress came to power in Telangana by making impractical promises to people.

Deccan Chronicle 16 May 2024 8:58 pm

Grad MLC Bypolls: Nod must before meets, rallies

Nalgonda : Superintendent of Police Chandana Deepthi on Thursday asked candidates of byelections to Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Graduates Legislative Council Constituency that they should adhere to the model code of conduct and obtain prior permission for meetings and rallies. Candidates, in their speeches, should never provoke any section of people, she said, adding, they should not also conduct election campaigns at religious places such as temples, churches, and masjids. The SP said people can complain to election authorities through the C-Vigil app, if they find any contesting candidates violating the model code of conduct.

Deccan Chronicle 16 May 2024 8:45 pm

Sudden downpour brings relief people in Hyderabad, casts shadow on IPL match

Hyderabad: Heavy rain lashed the city and its outskirts on Thursday afternoon bringing much needed relief to people. Secuderabad, Begumpet, Kukatpally, Ameerpet and other areas witnessed heavy rainfall prompting people to take shelter under flyovers and metro rail pillars. Hyderabad experienced a pleasant atmosphere as it registered a dip in day temperature. The city has recorded a day temperature of 33 degrees Celsius since Thursday morning as against more than 40 degrees Celsius registered continuously a few days ago. Sudden downpour also brought much relief to people but it cast a shadow on the IPL match in Uppal. The ground staff covered the pitch and the field with covers. Traffic movement was also affected because of rain in several busy areas. Senior officials asked the field-level staff to be on roads to regular traffic and attend any emergency situation. According to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and gusty winds at 40-50 kmph very likely to occur at isolated places in the districts Komarambheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalapally, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Mahabubabad, Warangal, Hanamkonda, Jangaon, Yadadri-Bhuvangiri, Rangareddy, Hyderabad, Medchal Malkajigiri, Vikarabad, Sangareddy, Medak, Mahabubnagar, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy, Narayanpet, Jogulamba Gadwal of Telangana. Thunderstorms accompanied with lightning and gusty winds at 30-40 kmph) are very likely to occur at isolated places in remaining districts of Telangana, the IMD said in its bulletin.

Deccan Chronicle 16 May 2024 4:12 pm

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.

The New Indian Express 16 May 2024 12:07 pm

Congress names in-charges for graduates MLC bypoll in Telangana

HYDERABAD: As the polling process for the Lok Sabha elections concluded in the state, the Congress shifted its focus to the Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda graduates constituency MLC byelection, which is scheduled to be held on May 27. Chief Minister and TPCC president A Revanth Reddy has appointed in-charges for 38 Assembly constituencies that fall under Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda graduates constituency. The CM appointed sitting MLAs and leaders who contested unsuccessfully in the elections as in-charges. The party also set up a war room to chalk out strategies to ensure the victory of its candidate Chinthapandu Naveen alias Teenmar Mallanna. The CM has already held meetings with the stakeholders in the segment. He will also be campaigning for Teenmar Mallanna, a Congress party leader said. It may be mentioned here that Teenmar Mallanna had contested unsuccessfully from the same graduates constituency. Bypoll to this segment was necessitated by the resignation of Palla Rajeshwar Reddy after his election to the Assembly from the Jangaon constituency in the 2023 elections.

The New Indian Express 16 May 2024 11:56 am

Another mule account accused held in Telangana

HYDERABAD: The Telangana State Cyber Security Bureau (TSCSB) arrested another accused who was reportedly part of an organised gang that lured residents of Bhainsa and neighbouring villagers to open 125 mule accounts for fraudulent transactions. The accused, Kesara Keshava Reddy alias Maha, is a native of Khammam residing in Bengaluru. The police seized two laptops, seven mobile phones, seven SIM cards, 10 bank passbooks and 19 debit cards from him. Two weeks ago, the TSCSB arrested three accused Pranay Shinde, Naveen Vanikar and Laxman Arugula. According to the TSCSB, Kesava Reddy came into contact with some persons who were indulging in online cricket betting through social media platforms in February 2023. They promised him a commission of 30% if he was able to provide them with mule bank accounts for online betting transactions. Offered Rs 5K to villagers Subsequently, Kesava got in touch with Pranay Shinde, who is already arrested, and his associates to open 125 mule accounts of villagers. After opening the bank accounts, the accused took the net banking credentials, ATM cards and chequebooks from them. In return, they paid the villagers Rs 5,000 per account. Kesava Reddy then enabled players to take part in online betting games and deposit money in these mule accounts. Further investigation is underway to ascertain various other national and international links in the case, TSCSB director Shikha Goel said in a press release. Accounts used for online betting According to the TSCSB, Kesava Reddy came into contact with some persons who were indulging in online cricket betting through social media in February 2023. They promised him a commission of 30% if he was able to provide them with mule bank accounts for online betting transactions.

The New Indian Express 16 May 2024 11:53 am

52 Remain in Fray for Graduate MLC Elections

Nalgonda: Fifty-two candidates have remained in the fray for the MLC polls to the Graduates Constituency elections in three districts of Khammam, Nalgonda and Warangal which will be held on on May 27. Speaking to media at the collectorate here, District Collector and the Returning Officer of the elections Harichadana Dasari said after withdrawal of nominations, 52 candidates were left in the fray for the elections. The GraduatesConstituency is spread in 12 districts and the additional district collectors of these districts would act as assistant returning officers for the election. The model code of conduct would be the same as the one implemented for Lok Sabha elections, she said. Stating that the election would be conducted on ballot papers, she said boxes would be shifted to strongrooms at Nalgonda from 12 districts after completion of the polling. Counting of votes would be held on June 5, she added.

Deccan Chronicle 15 May 2024 10:25 pm

Another accused in mule accounts scam held

Hyderabad : In continuation of their investigation into mule bank accounts being operated in the state, the Telangana State Cyber Security Bureau (TSCSB) on Wednesday arrested another accused Kesara Kesava Reddy, alias Maha, 33, a native of Khammam residing in Bengaluru. Police seized two laptops, seven mobile phones, seven SIM cards, ten bank passbooks and 19 debit cards from Kesava Reddy, who has been involved in online cricket betting. In February 2023, he came into contact with some persons, who were into gaming and IPL betting online and joined them. He was tasked to procure mule bank accounts, which could be used for online gaming and betting transactions, police said. In furtherance of the same, he got in touch with Pranay Shinde and his associates to open mule bank accounts. The accused was offered 30 per cent commission on each transaction. The TSCSB had arrested Shindhe Pranay, Vanikar Naveen and Arugula Laxman earlier this month. They played a key role in influencing residents of Bhainsa and neighboring villages to open 125 mule bank accounts. They took the net banking credentials, ATM cards and cheque books from the victims. They shared the account details with Keshava Reddy, who deposited collections from online games to these accounts.

Deccan Chronicle 15 May 2024 8:52 pm

Revanth, Bhatti lied on loans, says BRS, seeks apology

Hyderabad : The BRS on Wednesday demanded that the state government apologise to the people for lying on the quantum of Telanganas debt. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka should apologise to the people. Their claims that Telangana had a Rs 7 lakh crore debt has been proved wrong in a recent Reserve Bank of India report which said the state governments loans were only Rs 3.89 lakh crore, BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao said. Addressing a press conference, Rama Rao said the Revanth Reddy government wasted time issuing bogus White Papers on various subjects. When the BRS government took loans, we did so to create infrastructure. The Congress which criticised the BRS government earlier for taking loans, is now taking fresh loans to pay off the old ones. Where is all the revenue of the state government going? Rama Rao asked. He also demanded that the government immediately take up paddy procurement. Farmers in many places who brought the paddy to purchase centres had their harvest soaked in rains. In addition, up to 3.5 kg of paddy was being deducted per quintal in the guise of wastages, the BRS said. Farmers are protesting in almost all districts. The Revanth Reddy government should set aside politics and immediately begin paddy purchases, including rain damaged paddy, Rama Rao demanded. With respect to the upcoming Khammam-Warangal-Nalgonda MLC Graduates Constituency election, Rama Rao urged the voters to elect BRS candidate A Rakesh Reddy. The graduates supported the BRS in the last four elections from the constituency and I appeal to them to support Rakesh Reddy who will be their voice in the Legislative Council, Rama Rao said.

Deccan Chronicle 15 May 2024 8:23 pm

BJP gears up for Nalgonda-Warangal-Khammam graduates constituency bypoll

The vacancy arose due to the resignation of Dr Palla Rajeshwar Reddy of the BRS in December last year after he was elected to the Assembly from Jangaon

Deccan Chronicle 15 May 2024 3:05 pm

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.)

The New Indian Express 15 May 2024 10:49 am

Parties shift focus to graduates Council byelection in Telangana

HYDERABAD: As the polling process in the Lok Sabha elections ended on Monday, the three main political parties the Congress, BRS and BJP shifted their focus to Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda graduates MLC byelection scheduled to be held on May 27. Though as many as 52 candidates entered fray, the main fight will be between the Congress candidate Chintapandu Naveen alias Teenmar Mallanna, BJPs G Premender Reddy and Rakesh Reddy of BRS. On Monday, BJP state chief G Kishan Reddy held a meeting with the party leaders to deliberate on the byelection and on how to convince the graduates to support the party candidate. He also reportedly instructed the cadre and leaders to work effectively to secure the seat. BRS president and former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is set to hold a meeting with the party leaders of Warangal, Khammam and Nalgonda to discuss on the bypoll preparations. Meanwhile, the ruling Congress in the state is working hard to secure the seat at any cost to show that the educated and unemployed youth are behind the grand old party.

The New Indian Express 15 May 2024 10:08 am

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

The New Indian Express 15 May 2024 10:00 am

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.

Deccan Chronicle 15 May 2024 2:33 am

EVMs stored in 40 strong rooms with 3-layered security cover

Hyderabad : A three-layered security in the form of central and state police forces has been deployed at the 40 strong rooms, where 1,05,019 Ballot Units (BUs), 44,569 Control Units (CUs) and 48,134 VVPATs that were used in Mondays polling for the Lok Sabha elections are stored. After verification at the district distribution centres, Election Commission officials shifted the EVMs and VVPATs to the strong rooms located in all district headquarters including in the Hyderabad, Rachakonda and Cyberabad police limits. Polling agents of different political parties were allowed to place their seal on the strong rooms. According to EC officials, the central forces have been kept for security at the interior layers of strong rooms and no one is allowed inside without authorisation. In the second layer, the state police and special police teams have been deployed. Personnel from traffic and other wings of the state police have been deployed in the third ring keep track of traffic movement and to spot any untoward incidents within a 300-meter radius of strong rooms. CCTVs have been installed at the main door of strong rooms and the entire premises is under surveillance. The candidates and their agents have been given access to watch the CCTV footage. The strong room seal was also done in the presence of agents belonging to political parties, and candidates. The seal will be opened on June 4 at the time of counting of votes in the presence of the agents, an Election Commission official said. The police imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code at all 40 strong rooms, disallowing peoples gatherings. If any suspicious persons are found moving at the locality, police said they would take stern action against them. EC officials also coordinated with the returning officers (ROs)/district electoral officers (DEOs) of all districts and directed them to be vigilant. After the completion of the polling, the EVMs used in the Nalgonda Lol Sabha constituency were shifted to FCI godowns at Duppalapally on the outskirts of the town. Those from the Bhongir constituency were shifted to Aurora Engineering College at Bhongir. The EVMs of the Khammam Lok Sabha constituency have been shifted to Chaitanya Engineering College at Ponnekal in Khammam mandal. Khammam returning officer V.P. Gautham said that CCTV cameras and night vision cameras were also set up on four sides of the strong rooms. A TV was also set up to watch the live footage. The candidates or their representatives, who were provided passes, can examine the CCTV live footage. Examining the strong rooms at Duppalapally, Nalgonda returning officer Dasari Harichandana said the EVMs had been shifted to the strong rooms from the polling booths amid tight security. The officials would inspect the security at the strong rooms every day, she added

Deccan Chronicle 14 May 2024 9:27 pm

BJP Strategizes for Nalgonda-Warangal-Khammam Byelection Showdown

BJP gears up with candidate Gujjula Premender Reddy as parties brace for a closely watched contest on May 27

Deccan Chronicle 14 May 2024 8:09 pm

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%

Deccan Chronicle 14 May 2024 1:08 pm

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

The New Indian Express 14 May 2024 12:14 pm

Telangana: Polling in Khammam, Mahabubabad smooth

KHAMMAM: Barring stray incidents, polling ended peacefully in Khammam and a part of Mahabubabad Lok Sabha constituencies in Telangana on Monday. According to officials, about 70.76% voter turnout was recorded in Khammam parliament limits till 6 pm and the final polling percentage will be announced by 9 pm as many voters were waiting in queues. Polling in a part of Mahabubabad was 67.93% till 5 pm. Officials said the polling percentage in Kothagudem assembly constituency limits was 64.72%, Yellandu 69.11%, Pinapaka 65.91%, Aswaraopet 76.67%, said Kothagudem collector Priyanka Ala. Polling ended peacefully in Maoist-affected areas in Bhadradri Kothagudem district. The polling process was completed by 4 pm and no incidents were reported. Bhadrachalam ASP Paritosh Pankaj monitored bandobast and shifting of EVMs to strong rooms from remote areas. A large number of security forces were deployed in Maoist-affected areas. Some untoward incidents were reported in the district as some voters threatened to boycott elections. Voters at Lachagudem in Yellandu mandal protested against the lack of drinking water and irrigation facilities. During the course of polling, a senior assistant, Sri Krishna of Chunchupalli village, died of a heart attack while performing election duty at Nehrunagar in Aswaraopet. EVMs malfunctioned in some places and were replaced. Villagers of Rayamadharam in Enkoor mandal protested at the failure to construct a bridge on the NSP canal though they requested many MLAs. Residents of Regalla in Kothagudem protested at their problems being ignored and threatened to boycott the elections. They later called off their protest. BRS candidate Nama Nageswara Rao asked the officials to arrange lights at booths as symbols were not very clearly visible. Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka cast their vote along with family members.

The New Indian Express 14 May 2024 9:11 am

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.

The New Indian Express 14 May 2024 8:08 am

Villagers refuse to take part in polling demanding solution of problems

Khammam: People of Raimadaram of Enkoor mandal in Khammam and Kanumukula of Pochampally mandal in Bhongir kept away from polling for some time, demanding an assurance that their problems would be resolved. Voters held a demonstration near a polling booth at Raimadaram protesting the government not taking up the construction of a bridge on the Nagarjunasagar left canal. They relented polling after an assurance from the officials to examine their demand. A group of farmers staged a protest near a polling booth at Kanumukula in Bhongir to highlight their demand for purchase of rain-damaged and discoloured paddy. Officials persuaded them to participate in the polling after informing them of the governments decision to purchase damaged paddy.

Deccan Chronicle 14 May 2024 12:45 am

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.

Deccan Chronicle 13 May 2024 5:33 pm

Former Telangana CM KCR cast his vote at Chintamadaka

Former Telangana CM KCR cast his vote at Chintamadaka Former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao cast his vote in Chintamadaka village in his native Siddipet district. Chintamadaka village of Siddipet district lies under Medak Lok Sabha constituency. There are 2300 voters in Chintamadaka village. It is noteworthy that there are 17 Lok Sabha constituencies in Telangana. The 17 constituencies in Telangana are Adilabad, Bhuvanagiri, Chevella, Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Mahabubabad, Mahabubnagar, Malkajgiri, Medak, Nagarkurnool, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Peddapalle, Secunderabad, Warangal and Zahirabad. The Telangana Lok Sabha Election 2024 is scheduled in a single phase on May 13, 2024. The Election Commission of India announced this date, with the results set to be declared on June 4, 2024. This electoral event holds significant importance as it follows closely on the heels of the assembly polls held in December 2023, where the K Chandrashekar Rao-led BRS faced a setback, losing the state to Congress. Since the formation of Telangana in 2013, the BRS has been the dominant political force in the state. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the BRS won nine of 17 seats, while the BJP and Congress bagged four and three seats, respectively. (ANI)

devdiscourse 13 May 2024 8:57 am

Yellow alert in 17 districts as Telangana is set to vote

HYDERABAD: Light to moderate rains and thundershowers persisted in parts of the state on Sunday, offering relief from torrid temperatures. Isolated areas in Adilabad, Kamareddy, Khammam, Medak, Sangareddy and Jagtial districts among others were lashed by thundershowers. As per the Telangana State Development Planning Society (TSDPS), Adilabad recorded 43.30C, the highest temperature in the state, followed by Jagtial, which recorded 43.10C, Peddapalli and Nirmal recorded 42.80C and 42.70C, respectively. Weather forecast The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Hyderabad has issued a yellow alert for Monday as thunderstorms accompanied with lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are very likely to occur in various districts. Thundershowers are expected to persist till May 16. The yellow alert applies to Mancherial, Jagtial, Rajanna-Sircilla, Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mahabubabad, Warangal, Hanamkonda, Jangaon, Siddipet, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Rangareddy, Hyderabad and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts. For the next 48 hours, Hyderabad is likely to receive light rain or thundershowers. Maximum and minimum temperatures in the city are likely to be around 360C and 260C , respectively, with wind speeds around 4-8 kmph gusting up to 30-40 kmph, the IMD said.

The New Indian Express 13 May 2024 7:46 am

After 10-km Chase, Cops Find Rs88.43L From Crashed Car in Khammam

Khammam: Police seized Rs 88.43 lakh from a car that overturned at Devuni thanda of Kusumandchi mandal in the district after a chase by the police which lasted 10 km. According to police, the car speed away when they tried to stop it at Nayakanigudem as part of a vehicle inspection exercise ahead of the May 13 elections. Growing suspicious, the police chased the car in two vehicles. While speeding to get away, the vehicle lost control and overturned. The cops checked the car and found Rs 88.43 lakh stashed in two bags. The amount was seized when the driver and the passenger failed to provide proof of its transaction. The car driver was seriously injured in the incident and shifted to a private hospital at Khammam. The car was going to Khammam from Hyderabad.

Deccan Chronicle 13 May 2024 12:51 am

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.

Deccan Chronicle 13 May 2024 12:47 am

48 poll staff stay away from elections, police book cases

Poll staff check the EVMs at Otteri before they are deployed for the R. K. Nagar by-elections (Photo: DC) Poll staff check the EVMs at Otteri before they are deployed for the R. K. Nagar by-elections (Photo: DC) Nalgonda: Following a complaint from assistant returning officer B. Sriramulu, the Devarakonda police on Sunday filed a case against 48 polling officers and assistant polling officers under Section 134 of the Representation of People Act for not reporting to duty at the Government Junior College at Khammam. Police superintendent Chandana Deepthi said that there was no truth in the viral news saying criminal cases were filed against the absent staff. Employees, who were kept stand-by, were allocated to the polling stations where the staff was absent.

Deccan Chronicle 13 May 2024 12:29 am

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.

Deccan Chronicle 12 May 2024 11:16 pm

Mango Farmers in Telugu States Staring at Sharp Fall in Yield This Year

Picture used for representation purpose only. Photo: AFP Picture used for representation purpose only. Photo: AFP Hyderabad: With rains playing truant in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana state last year, the climate going haywire, and under a pest attack, mango farmers are staring at an abysmally low produce this season. The effect is starkly visible in the perennially drought-prone erstwhile Chittoor district area which has around 1.2 lakh hectares under the crop. B. Madhusudhan Reddy, deputy director, horticulture, Chittoor district, said that there were no rains from August to November. The growth of new twigs and leaves. Cloudy weather in December due to the cyclone effect also led to fall in day temperatures reducing the difference in day and night temperatures. The average yield will be just three tonnes per hectare this year last year per hectare against 12.5 tonnes last year, the lowest on record. The 32 processing units in the district need up to five lakh tonnes of mangoes but the produce in the full season may not exceed 1.8 lakh tonnes in the erstwhile Chittoor district. Horticulture scientist D. Sreenivasulu Reddy, citrus research station, Dr YSR Horticulture University, Tirupati said that mangoes needed a minimum temperature of about 16C to 17 Centigrade rose to 19-20C. This was the main reason for reduction in flowering to 20 to 30 per cent of the normal. Thrips, a sucking pest which had affected chillies earlier, migrated to mangoes this year. This pest multiplies faster when the days are warmer. It has hit Khammam, Warangal, Nagarkurnool and the outskirts of Hyderabad also, Sreenivasulu Reddy added. B. Vasudeva Reddy, a mango farmer, from Abbireddivuru of Poothalapattu mandal of Chittoor district, was expecting just about three tonnes of mango this year, against the norm. I will end up spending `6 lakh by the end of the season on my 12-acre mango garden on pesticides and labour, said Vasudeva Reddy, whose family works on the farm. He said the pesticides available in the market were not able to contain the pests. M. Venkatarami Reddy, a farmer from Madithativaripalli in Nerabilu gram panchayat in Tirupati district, said that the trader who bought his 22-acre garden for Rs 4.5 lakh could face losses. His fellow villager M. Janardhan Reddy, who owns an eight-acre farm, said he would hardly get two tonnes of mangoes, while it was 40 tonnes on average every year. The experience of M. Krishnaiah, mango farmer from Bollaram village, Veepanagandla mandal of Wanaparthy district in Telangana is no different. The rates could be higher as the yield is less this year, he said. N.R. Ehsanulla, president of Damalacheruvu Mango Mandi Traders Association in Tirupati district, who also owns a 25-acre mango farm, said , I used to earn Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh every year selling mangoes but might incur loss this year, he said, having spent `4 lakh on his farm. K. Govardhan Bobby, chairman, All India Food Processors Association, South Zone, said, Disturbances in the Red Sea owing to pirates affected export of pulp last year. The value of the pulp which has a shelf life of two years falls after the first year. The buyers are expecting us to foot the additional cost of transport through distant shipping routes. The low mango produce this year is only adding to our woes.

Deccan Chronicle 12 May 2024 10:10 pm

Khammam: Rs 1.5 Cr Seized After Car Meets with Accident

Khammam : Police seized Rs.1.5 crores which are being transported in a car that crashed in Kusumanchi in the district on Sunday. The police suspected cash connection to Lok Sabha elections. In a similar incident, police seized Rs 7 crores from a car that had a crash with the lorry in neighbouring state Andhra Pradesh on Saturday.

Deccan Chronicle 12 May 2024 2:40 pm

Ahead of LS polls in Telangana, huge cash found after accident in Khammam

Hyderabad: Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in Telangana, a huge sum of cash has been unearthed following an accident in Kusumanchi Mandal, Khammam. The vehicle, which was speeding, overturned, and authorities found a significant amount of money inside. According to the police, Rs 1.5 crore cash has been recovered. There is suspicion that the 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 .

The Siasat Daily 12 May 2024 12:29 pm

TSRTC bus conductor takes up voter awareness campaign in Khammam

KHAMMAM: Participation of a large number of voters in the electoral process is important for democracy to flourish. In democratic countries, including India, a major problem is indifference of voters to the electoral process. Government bodies, private organisations and individuals do their bit to encourage people to vote in every election to ensure the success of democracy. Like many others, a 56-year-old TSRTC bus conductor, Md Gowse Pasha of Khammam depot, has taken upon himself the responsibility of creating awareness about the importance of voting among people for the past 20 days in Khammam town as well as surrounding villages. He goes about the town and nearby villages with a placard hung to his scooter emphasising the importance of exercising franchise in the parliament elections on Monday. He is appealing to people to cast a vote without fail for the sake of good governance. According to Gowse Pasha, who is creating awareness on the day of his weekly off, people should vote wisely to choose their representative to ensure a bright future for their children. Speaking to TNIE , he said, I would be happy if my effort encourages at least some people to vote. Everybody should cast vote to elect a strong government. Gowse Pasha has also been known for other social activities for the last 10 years in Khammam. He fills potholes on roads to make them safe for citizens. When asked why he is doing this when its the responsibility of the civic body, Gowse Pasha says, These potholes could prove dangerous for children and aged people. I feel its my civic responsibility to chip in to ensure the safety of people. He also created awareness about following precautions during the Covid-19 pandemic. He planted over 500 saplings in Khammam and watered them until they grew to their full size. Gowse Pasha, who has two sons and a daughter, says God is his inspiration and he will continue to do social service till his last breath.

The New Indian Express 12 May 2024 11:10 am

Forum orders Telangana State NPDCL to waive Rs 34K incorrect bill, pay Rs 9K as compensation

HYDERABAD: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Khammam, has directed the Telangana State Northern Power Distribution Company Limited (TSNPDCL) to pay a compensation of Rs 9,000 along with waiving of the incorrect bill of Rs 34,517. The bench also observed that the power company did not issue any prior notice of disconnecting the electricity service of the complainant, as well as failed to show when the first arrears bill, which it claimed were due on the part of the complainant, was issued. The complainant, Menthula Padma, claimed that while her per month regular power bill used to be between Rs 400 and Rs 600, in October 2020, she was asked to pay an amount of Rs 34,517. She added that the authorities alleged that the meter which was installed in 2009 was changed by their staff a decade later and during that the staff mistakenly entered the old reading in the new meter due to which she was held liable to pay that amount. In its defence, the TSNPDCL contended that after verification of the revised bill from the date of fixing the old meter to duly submitting the meter details, they withdrew the Rs 18,737 from the bill as a result of which the complainant was asked to pay Rs 15,780. The company immediately asked her to submit the amount even though she stated that the case is pending before the consumer forum. Afraid that the former would disconnect the power, the complainant paid a bill of Rs 4,000. Citing the Electricity Act 2003, the Commission noted that the TSNPDCL failed to produce the evidence that they had issued a fifteen days notice to the complainant. Noting deficiency of service on the TSNPDCLs part, it directed the company to pay the compensation as well as waive the bill amount within 45 days from May 3.

The New Indian Express 11 May 2024 8:42 am

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.

The New Indian Express 11 May 2024 8:40 am

Hyderabad Experiences Mixed Weather

Hyderabad : Hyderabad experienced a mixed bag of weather on Friday, with intense rainfall hitting multiple parts of the city, leading to scattered storms and significant rainfall accumulations, according to the TS Development Planning Society. Scattered storms occured in north Hyderabad, with an average of 4.7mm of rainfall in the city. Surrounding districts also saw light rains at isolated areas including Kamareddy, Vikarabad, Sangareddy, Medak, Siddipet, Rangareddy and Khammam. Power outages were also reported in Secunderabad, Alwal and Kukatpally. In many areas the power was restored in less than 15 minutes. To report power outages , people can contact round the clock customer service centres centralised trouble call centres by dialing 1912, a department official said. The highest recorded rainfall was at Jeedimetla in Quthbullapur at 37.8 mm. This was closely followed by 33.5 mm in Gayatrinagar and 29.8 mm at ESS Gajularamaram, both also in Quthbullapur and Aadharshnagar in Ferozguda recording 20.8 mm. The rain in the city began around 5.30 pm in the outskirts and 6 pm in the core of the city. Netizens took to X to share videos and pictures of their balconies, roads and winds that shook strong trees. These varied rainfall figures across the city culminated in a Friday marked by intense short spells that affected daily life, creating wetter conditions and causing disruptions in several areas. Weather experts suggest that the pattern of scattered storms might continue, particularly affecting areas like Sangareddy and Vikarabad with substantial rainfall anticipated.

Deccan Chronicle 10 May 2024 11:52 pm

Watch | Why N.T. Rama Rao the politician remains relevant even today

28 years after his death, the former Chief Ministers impact and influence is hard to forget, more so in Khammam district

The Hindu 10 May 2024 8:26 pm

Parties look to end campaign with a flourish in Telangana

HYDERABAD: As the clock ticks closer to voting day, May 13, in Telangana, all major parties plan to bring their campaigning to an end on May 11 with a flourish by deploying their top leaders in the hope that they would swing neutral voters in their favour. As mandated by the Election Commission of India, all parties will have to wind up their campaign by 6 pm on May 11, to enable the 48-hour silent period. A surge of campaign activity is expected to be seen in the last two days of campaigning, with stalwarts from various parties crisscrossing the state to sway voters ahead of voting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be leading the BJP charge with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda heading the flanks. Likewise, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge will be commanding the Congress forces with former party president Rahul Gandhi and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi on the right and left flanks. Similarly, the BRS army will be led by party supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao and his trusted lieutenants KT Rama Rao and T Harish Rao. Modi is scheduled to address public meetings in Narayanpet and Hyderabad on Friday, for which the saffron party is expected to pull out all stops and mobilise massive crowds. Overall, Modi would have addressed six campaign rallies in the state, including roadshows. The Congress will press into service its general secretary Priyanka Gandhi who is slated to address two public meetings in Kamareddy and Tandur on May 11, while Kharge will hold a press conference at a private hotel in Hyderabad along with INDIA bloc leaders. Rahul Gandhi has already participated in four meetings in Telangana for the Lok Sabha elections. KCR will wrap up the BRS campaign in Siddipet Assembly constituency, which is part of the Medak Lok Sabha seat and his native segment. The former chief minister has been taking part in roadshows since the past 20 days and addressing massive gatherings in various constituencies. Harish Rao and Rama Rao will also conclude their campaign along with the party president on May 11. Apart from the political heavyweights, the campaign trail has also been lit with the participation of celebrities from the film industry. Actress Khushbu joined the BJP state president G Kishan Reddys roadshow, while actor Daggubati Venkatesh lent his support to Congress candidate R Raghurama Reddy in Khammam. Once campaigning ends, senior leaders of all the parties will turn their attention to poll management. Their focus on booth-level management and voter outreach will go a long way in determining the winners and losers in a majority of the seats in the coming elections.

The New Indian Express 10 May 2024 9:31 am

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.

The New Indian Express 10 May 2024 8:12 am

Why state Congress invited Gandhis to contest from Khammam, turning it into a hot seat

All eyes will be on Khammam when the 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana go to the polls on May 13. Congress has not won this seat in the past 15 years but has performed exceedingly well in the assembly elections. The grand old party has fielded R Raghuram Reddy, BRS has nominated its sitting MP Nama Nageswara Rao and BJP, which is trying to expand its footprint here, has fielded Tandra Vinod Rao.

The Times of India 10 May 2024 4:33 am

Over 200 voters boycott voting in Telangana's Kothagudem

Over 200 voters boycott voting in Telangana's Kothagudem Hundreds of voters of Aadivasi Nagar in the Kothagudem Assembly constituency in Telangana have boycotted voting amid the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. Kothagudem assembly constituency is in the Khammam Lok Sabha constituency of Telangana. More than 200 voters in the tribal community have said that there is no road and no electricity in their colony. Due to a lack of basic facilities, people have decided to boycott the voting. People say that they are boycotting the vote with a sad heart. But if the administration or the government assures them that the problems of roads, water and electricity will be solved in Aadivasi Nagar, then they will be ready to vote. In Aadivasi Nagar of Kothagudem (Prashant Nagar), there are more than 400 people in 70 families and more than 200 voters. Assistant Returning Officer D. Madhu of Kothagudem said that as soon as the information came to the department, the officer met the people of the village. The officials have assured them that their problem will be solved. We have requested that everyone vote; it is their right. The voters of the village have promised us that they will vote, Madhu said. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Nama Nageswar Rao won the seat, bagging 5,67,459 votes. The runner-up was Renuka Chowdhury of the Congress. Since its inception in 1952, Khammam has been a Congress stronghold, where it has won 12 times The Khammam Lok Sabha constituency consists of seven assembly seats, including Khammam, Palair, Madhira, Wyra, Sathupalli, Kothagudem, and Aswaraopeta. Voting for all 17 seats in Telangana will take place on May 13 in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. In the 2019 general election, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) won nine seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party four, Congress three and AIMIM one seat. The voting for the first three phases has been completed so far. The next round of voting will be held on May 13. Lok Sabha polls are being held across seven phases till June 1 and votes will be counted on June 4. (ANI)

devdiscourse 9 May 2024 11:32 pm

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.

The New Indian Express 9 May 2024 9:23 am

Government To Launch Countrys Best Crop Insurance Scheme Next Month: Tummala

Khammam: Agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao on Wednesday informed that the state government was on course to come up with the best crop insurance cover next month. The crop insurance scheme will take into account potential losses in crop yield. He was addressing the special general body meeting of the district Congress kisan cell, which was convened to discuss ways and means to get the support of farmers for the party candidate for Khammam Lok Sabha seat Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy. He said that the state government has decided to bear the crop insurance premium of 70 lakh farmers. It urged insurance companies to bid only if they were willing to compensate for any kind of crop loss, including due to diseases. He exuded confidence that Telangana would implement the best insurance scheme in the country. Reiterating that the state government would implement rythu bharosa, wherein farmers are extended an annual investment support of Rs 15,000 per acre (from the earlier `10, 000 per acre), the minister said that the implementation was delayed due to vote on budget. He said that the states next months regular budget would earmark substantial allocations for rythu bharosa. Rao said that the Congress government has urged fertilizers companies, which have units in the state, to export DAP, urea and fertilizers to other states only after meeting the requirements of Telangana farmers. He made it clear that Wyra and Lanka sagar projects, located in Khammam district, would be filled with Godavari waters by August 15. The BRS government had spent Rs 7,000 crore on the Sitarama project but had failed to provide irrigation facilities to even a single acre. He asked the kisan cell members to exhort farmers to vote for Rahuram Reddy in the ensuing elections. On his part, Reddy said that he would raise the issue of Khammam district in the Lok Sabha and work towards its all-round development. Reminding the gathering that the Congress had come to power in the state with the support of farmers, he asked them to highlight the pro-farmers policies of the state government. Congress Kisan cell state vice-president Dasari Danniel and DCC president Puvvada Durga Prasad also attended the meeting.

Deccan Chronicle 8 May 2024 9:32 pm

Congress Ramps Up Aggressive Campaign in Nalgonda, Bhongir and Khammam

Nalgonda: Just a few days left for the polling day, the contesting candidates of the main political parties Congress, BJP and BRS of Nalgonda, Bhongir and Khammam Lok Sabha Constituencies intensified their election campaigns and spent time busy with roadshows, campaigns and meetings. Congress candidates are in the lead in carrying out the election campaign but the BJP and the BRS seem seem to be lagging behind. The main advantage of the Congress candidate was that the partys MLAs from the Assembly constituencies in their Lok Sabha segments are conducting campaigns and meetings in tandem with them and striving to get majority of votes. The Congress won six Assembly seats out of seven, which fall under Nalgonda Lok Sabha Constituency and won six out of seven in Bhongir Lok Sabha Constituency. All seven Assembly seats in Khammam were won by the Congress and its alliance parties. Khammam, Wyra, Palair, Madhira, Sathupally and Aswaraopeta Assembly seats were won by the Congress and Kothagudem seat was won by its alliance party CPI. Seasoned actor Daggubati Venkatesh hit the campaign trail in Khammam to seek support for his kin and Congress candidate Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy. The actor took part in roadshows with the party candidate in the constituency. In Suryapet Assembly segment, which BRS lost in the polls, Congress senior leader Ramreddy Damodar Reddy and TPCC secretary Patel Ramesh Reddy are separately conducting campaigns to support the party candidates. BRS candidates for Nalgonda and Bhongir Lok Sabha Constituencies, Kyama Mallesh and Kancharla Krishna Reddy respectively, are struggling to show their presence by conducting roadshows. Due to multiple reasons, they failed to get the support of the party leaders, which are not attracting the people. The roadshows of the BRS president and the former chief minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao at Miryalaguda and Suryapet segments in Nalgonda and in Bhongir respectively seemed to be benefitted the party candidates. BJP candidates are also facing no-response from people and lack of the party leaders support situations in these Lok Sabha constituencies. The party candidates for Nalgonda and Bhongir, Shanampudi Saidi Reddy and Dr Boora Narsaiah Goud joined the BJP a few months before the issuance of election notifications. The BJP leaders, who have been working for the party for decades, are unhappy over their candidature. The public meetings of the BJP, which were attended by the party national president J.P. Nadda at Choutuppal in Bhongir and in Nalgonda failed to attract people. The majority of the public who attended the meeting did not understand the speech of Nadda as the party did not make any arrangements for translation of his speech to Telugu from Hindi. On the other hand, the local leaders of the Congress had already started door-to-door distribution of the party's Guarantee Cards.

Deccan Chronicle 8 May 2024 8:56 pm

Actor Venkatesh Conducts Roadshow for Khammam Cong Candidate

Khammam: Cine actor Daggubati Venkatesh on Tuesday participated in a 3-km-long road show in Khammam in support of Congress candidate Ramashayam Raghuram Reddy. People lined the route and stood on the top of buildings to see him. He shook a leg to songs from his movies at the old bus stand and zilla parishad junctions. Speaking at the end of the roadshow, Venkatesh asked the people to vote for Raghuram Reddy, who is his close relative. Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Rajya Sabha member Renuka Chowdhury and Raghuram Reddy accompanied Venkatesh.

Deccan Chronicle 8 May 2024 12:32 am

Actor Venkatesh campaigns for Congress candidate in Khammam

Khammam: Adding some glamour to the election campaign in Telangana, popular Tollywood actor Venkatesh on Tuesday held a roadshow in the Khammam Lok Sabha constituency in support of his relative and Congress candidate Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy. The actor participated in the roadshow along with Raghuram Reddy and state Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy in Khammam 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 .

The Siasat Daily 7 May 2024 11:51 pm

Book Review | A Candid Memoir: Duvvuri Subbarao's Journey from IAS to RBI Governor

Subbarao, Subba as we call him, is my IAS batchmate. I still recall vividly the first time I met him on that mid-July day in 1972 when all of us reported for training at the Mussoorie Academy. In fact, all 150 of us in the batch were seeking out Subba to secretly size him up and check what put him on the top. Subba, for his part, was distinctly uncomfortable with this attention and must have been hoping that this scrutiny would be over soon. Over the next two years that we spent together in Mussoorie, I realised what made Subba special a rare blend of brilliance, empathy and an unassuming personality. Although we moved apart after the training period he to Andhra Pradesh and I to Tamil Nadu Ive followed his extraordinary journey to the top of the civil service and then as Governor of the Reserve Bank of India with interest and admiration. I was mildly apprehensive therefore when I set out to read Subbas book. Like most civil service memoirs, would he too fall into the trap of glorifying his story and hiding his failures, and break my carefully preserved image of him? I need not have feared. Subba tells his story with rare candour and honesty; the easy flowing language and subtle self-deprecating humour are a bonus. The subtitle of the book Notes from My Life and Career is significant. Unlike in a conventional memoir where the author is the driver taking the readers along on his journey, in these notes, Subba, very characteristically, tells his story as if he was a bystander allowing the reader to make their own inferences. As Collector of Khammam district, Subba stood up to Chief Minister Chenna Reddy in implementing the protective legislation for tribals. As Finance Secretary in Delhi, he went against vested interests by arguing that the price at which spectrum is given away should be rediscovered through a fresh auction. As RBI Governor, he famously fought for the autonomy of the central bank. In any other memoir, these would have been tales of heroism; in Subbas narration though they are just mere episodes in his career. Empathy is an attribute that I associate with Subba and that comes through clearly in the stories he tells, for example, of his encounter with Md. Azharuddin which illustrates the ebb and flow of life, his guilt feeling about overlooking a former leprosy affected person for the post of his jeep driver and the stoicism of his daffedar who turns up for duty barely four hours after his wife of thirty years had died. Another trait that distinguishes these notes from conventional memoirs is that Subba admits his mistakes candidly and reflects on his dilemmas in an insightful and instructive way. As his tenure as Collector of Khammam aborted in just nine months, he wonders if he moved hastily without understanding the ground situation and thereby lost the war in trying to win the battle. He admits to vanity when he thought that his posting as Officer on Special Duty for bottling liquor was not important enough given his track record. As Governor of RBI, he earned the moniker of baby-step Subbarao for raising interest rates in only baby steps even as inflation was touching double digits. He admits to his realization in hindsight that the economy would have been better served if his monetary tightening had started sooner and had been faster and stronger. Few policymakers have been so forthright and honest. Now some quibbles. Even as I enjoyed reading the Mercenary as a matter of fact I finished it in just two sittings when I was done, it left me with a vague sense of incompleteness, the feeling that Subba should have dived deeper into some of the issues. For example, a couple of years ago, he wrote an op-ed in a major newspaper under the title Has the IAS Failed the Nation? where he bemoans the intellectual and moral decline of the IAS. Why did he not expand on that to give his views on how the IAS should be restructured and reinvented. Similarly, in a very touching letter to his departed mother which forms the last chapter of the book, Subba dwells on the difficulty of following ones dharma . But he also says that it is sometimes difficult to even discern what ones dharma is. Why did he not illustrate with some life experiences? Quibbles apart, at the end of the story, do we get to know what is the magic formula for getting from the IAS to the Governor of the RBI? This is not meant to be a guide book, but it most certainly lives up to the blurb of informing and inspiring young professionals to find a way up their career ladders - and find meaning in their journeys. Just a Mercenary? Notes From My Life and Career By Duvvuri Subbarao Publisher: Penguin Viking Pages: 435+XVI Price: 799 This review was authored by Dr. C K Gariyali, a 1972 batch Indian Administrative Service officer, served as Secretary to the Chief Minister and Governor of Tamil Nadu. Dr. C K Gariyali, founded the Schizophrenia Research Foundation of India and EDIT, Equitas Bank's charity. Gariyali has authored 17 books, including Kashmir: The Land of Kashyapa.

Deccan Chronicle 7 May 2024 10:22 pm

Venkateshs daughter draws big crowds while on campaign trail for dad-in-law

KHAMMAM: Actor D Venkateshs daughter Aashritha is sweating it out these days, campaigning for her father-in-law Raghuram Reddy, who is the Congress candidate for the Khammam Lok Sabha seat. Aashritha is joined in her endeavour by Swapni, Raghuram Reddys other daughter-in-law and daughter of Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy. The two women have been well received by the electorate, particularly women, during their campaign. Being the daughter of popular Telugu film actor Venkatesh, Aashritha is drawing large crowds while campaigning. They are going door-to-door, asking people to support their father-in-law while highlighting his social service activities. They take every opportunity to convey to the people that Raghuram Reddy works very hard. My father-in-law is a man of determination. If he sets his heart on anything, he will not rest till he completes the task. If he promises anything, he will keep it, said Aashritha while addressing a gathering on Monday.

The New Indian Express 7 May 2024 10:37 am

Free ride to exercise voting right in Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and Khammam

HYDERABAD: Voters in Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and Khammam will get free bike-taxi, auto rickshaw and cab rides to exercise their franchise on May 13. Rapido has joined hands with the office of the Chief Electoral Officer to further encourage people to vote. To that end, Rapido organised an event to raise voter awareness at the LB Stadium, Basheerbagh. The event was attended by Chief Electoral Officer Vikas Raj along with Hyderabad District Electoral Officer and GHMC Commissioner Ronald Rose, Hyderabad City Police Commissioner K Srinivas Reddy, Hyderabad RO and district collector Anudeep Durishetty. The voters can avail free rides on the Rapido app using the code VOTENOW on election day on May 13 and get a free ride to exercise their democratic right. Rapido further said this effort aligns with its nationwide campaign, deploying over 10 lakh captains across more than 100 cities to provide free rides on the polling day. By offering free commute to voters, especially the specially challenged and senior citizens, Rapido is ensuring that every eligible citizen can exercise their democratic right, Vikas Raj said. Everyone should work hard to increase the voting percentage in Hyderabad, the CEO said and added that voter awareness programmes have been undertaken on a large scale for the last three months to increase the voting percentage in Hyderabad. He urged everyone to participate in voting to protect democracy. Everyone is working hard to ensure that 60 to 65 per cent voting takes place in Hyderabad. Srinivas Reddy said that strong measures have been taken to ensure that the elections are conducted peacefully. He appealed to all the voters to come forward to exercise their right to vote.

The New Indian Express 7 May 2024 10:16 am

Telangana: Turmoil in BRS over choice of MLC candidate

HYDERABAD : Byelection for the Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Graduates MLC seat has created turmoil within the BRS. Party leaders and cadre are upset with the decision of its supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao for picking A Rakesh Reddy as BRS candidate for the bypoll. Rakesh Reddy joined the BRS from BJP just before the Assembly elections. As soon as his candidature was announced, senior leaders expressed dissatisfaction with the decision. Recently, former MLA Dasyam Vijaya Bhaskar met party working president KT Rama Rao and expressed his discomfiture with Rakesh Reddys candidature. A few BRS leaders are saying that they expected the party to give the ticket to senior workers or to those who actively participated in the Telangana statehood movement. They are also saying that the party has sent a wrong message to voters that it will give tickets to parachute leaders. It is learnt that MLA Palla Rajeshwar Reddy recommended Rakesh Reddy as the candidate. The bypoll became inevitable due to the resignation of Rajeshwar Reddy from the Council following his election to the Assembly from Jangaon.

The New Indian Express 7 May 2024 9:43 am

Telangana to receive rains till May 12, says IMD

HYDERABAD : After a prolonged heatwave, the state will experience rains and thunderstorms, said meteorologists. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday said that most parts of the state will receive light to moderate rains and thundershowers till May 12 under the influence of multiple weather systems including a trough discontinuity from east Vidarbha in Maharashtra to Tamil Nadu across Telangana and Rayalaseema in Andhra Pradesh and a cyclonic circulation over Marathwada in Maharashtra. Meanwhile, light to moderate rains were recorded at isolated places in Khammam, Mahbubnagar, Nagarkurnool, Nalgonda, Siddipet, and Rangareddy districts on Monday. An orange alert has been issued for May 7 for Jangaon, Siddipet, Yadadri Bhuvangiri, Rangareddy, Hyderabad, Medak, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy, Narayanpet and Jogulamba Gadwal districts for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph. Until May 10, the IMD has issued a yellow alert predicting continued rains, thunderstorms and lightning. As of Monday, the Telangana State Development Planning Society (TSDPS) recorded the highest maximum temperature of 46.8C in Jagtial, followed by 46.4C in Peddapalli and 46.2C in Karimnagar. Hyderabad recorded the highest maximum temperature of 43.8C in Chandanagar. Heatwave conditions were recorded in 41 mandals and severe heatwave conditions were recorded in three mandals by the TSDPS. For the next 48 hours, Hyderabad will experience light to moderate rains or thundershowers with gusty winds, with a maximum and minimum temperatures of 39C and 27C, respectively.

The New Indian Express 7 May 2024 7:06 am

Hyderabad: Rapido offers free bike rides on Lok Sabha polling day

Hyderabad: As Telangana inches closer to voting day for the next Union government on May 13, bike taxi provider Rapido is offering free vehicle services to voters in Hyderabad and a few other districts like Karimnagar, Khammam and Warangal districts. As part of its nationwide campaign, Rapido will collaborate with Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Telangana, 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 .

The Siasat Daily 6 May 2024 5:06 pm

Rapido offers free rides to voters to polling stations on May 13 in Hyderabad, 3 other cities

Rapido announced it will offer free bike taxi, auto, and cab rides to voters in Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, and Warangal on May 13, election day. Teaming up with the Chief Electoral Officer's office, Rapido aims to boost voter turnout and awareness. Residents can use the code 'VOTENOW' to access complimentary rides and participate in the electoral process. Rapido's nationwide campaign involves deploying over 10 lakh captains in more than 100 cities to provide free transportation on election day.

The Economic Times 6 May 2024 4:02 pm

Rapido offers free rides to voters in Hyderabad and surrounding cities

Rapido offers free rides to voters in Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, and Warangal on May 13. The initiative aims to enhance voter participation, especially among different-abled and senior citizens, promoting inclusivity in the electoral process.

The Times of India 6 May 2024 3:55 pm

Rapido Provides Complimentary Rides to Voting Booths in Hyderabad and Three Other Cities for May 13 Elections

Rapido Provides Complimentary Rides to Voting Booths in Hyderabad and Three Other Cities for May 13 Elections Rapido, India's foremost commute app, on Monday said it pledges to provide free bike taxi, auto and cab rides to voters across Hyderabad and also Karimnagar, Khammam and Warangal on May 13, the polling day. Rapido is joining hands with the office of the Chief Electoral Officer to further encourage people to vote in the biggest festival of democracy. To that end, Rapido organised an event to raise voter awareness at the Lal Bahadur Shastri (LB) Stadium here in which was graced by the presence of Vikas Raj, CEO. On election day, voters can avail free rides on the Rapido app using the code 'VOTENOW' and get a free ride to exercise their democratic right. The initiative aims to facilitate residents' voting rights and ensure a more inclusive electoral process, the release said. This concerted effort aligns with Rapido's nationwide campaign, deploying over 10 lakh captains across more than 100 cities to provide free rides on election day, it further said. Rapido's Co-founder Pavan Guntupalli said, ''We are undertaking this initiative to ensure that every voter in Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, and Warangal can successfully fulfill their civic duty by casting their votes in the Indian General Election 2024.'' Rapido wants to specifically ensure that differently-abled and senior citizen voters have equitable access to exercise their democratic right. By extending free auto and cab rides to them, the ride app is redoubling its commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility, he added. Vikas Raj said ''Rapido's initiative to provide free rides to voters during the General Elections 2024 is a commendable step towards promoting voter participation and accessibility. By offering free commute to voters, especially the differently abled and senior citizens, Rapido is facilitating greater inclusivity and ensuring that every eligible citizen can exercise their democratic right.''

devdiscourse 6 May 2024 3:31 pm

A Vote to BJP will Endanger Reservations: Raghuram Reddy

Khammam: Congress candidate for Khammam Lok Sabha constituency Ramashayam Raghuram Reddy on Sunday said that a vote for the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections would pose a danger to the democracy and reservations. Speaking at a meeting, which was conducted by a group of doctors to extend support to him, he said that the BJP was working on a conspiracy to change the Constitution. BJP leaders openly announced that the Preamble of Constitution would be changed. If the BJP won 400 Lok Sabha seats in this election, it would also remove the reservations for SCs, STs, BCs and other sections of the people, he added. He alleged that the Narendra Modi government also misused the Enforcement Directorate and income-tax department to target the leaders of the opposition parties, who raised their voice against its policies. Stating that skyrocketing prices of essential commodities have created financial hardship to the poor and middle class families in the last 10 years, he pointed out that the price of an LPG cylinder was increased to Rs 1,100 from Rs 400 during the tenure of Narendra Modi government. Similarly, the price of petrol was also increased to Rs 100 per litre from Rs 65 per litre. The fuel prices would have an indirect impact on the prices of essential commodities, he added. Asking the people to give him one chance as MP, the Congress candidate said that he would work for development of the Khammam Lok Sabha constituency by bringing funds from the Centre. The Congress led I.N.D.I.A. bloc would come to power at the Centre after the elections.

Deccan Chronicle 6 May 2024 10:27 am

Watch: Rainfall hits Telangana; IMD Hyderabad forecasts more downpours today

Hyderabad: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Hyderabad forecast has proven accurate as some districts of Telangana received rainfall yesterday, bringing relief from the soaring temperatures. According to the forecast, the rainfall will continue until May 9, with heavy rainfall expected tomorrow. Khammam district pic.twitter.com/mDEoMXYL8C Prabhas Jai (@prabhasjai_) May 5, 2024 @balaji25_t #khammam https://t.co/ciYHrDXWyz pic.twitter.com/OmGrTZURC8 Naveen 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 .

The Siasat Daily 6 May 2024 10:10 am

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.

The New Indian Express 6 May 2024 7:36 am

Rain and hail bring down temperature in TS

Hyderabad: After enduring a week of relentless heat, many districts in saw a dramatic shift in weather conditions, with rain and hailstorms across several regions bringing down temperatures. The IMD has cautioned against heavy winds, lightning, and hail. However, elsewhere, the TS Development Planning Society said Velgatoor in Jagtial district hit a record high of 47.1C, the highest temperature recorded across the state this year. Though the IMD had predicted rain from the evening of May 6, Nalgonda and Suryapet experienced early signs of change and residents reported 'blasting rains' with hail in Khammam, Mahbubabad and Jangaon. In the undivided Warangal district, two farmers succumbed to lightning strikes, 46-year-old farmer Basha Bullayya in Eturunagaram and 39-year-old farmer Dasari Ajay in Raghunathpalli, along with his cow. The heavy rain damaged grains at procurement centres in Eturunagaram. A huge portion of a slab of Garla railway station in Mahbubabad district came down during the rain. Neighbouring districts such as Karimnagar, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Nalgonda, Mancherial, and Kumuram Bheem reported extreme temperatures exceeding 46C, while Adilabad, Mahabubabad, Wanaparthy, Pedapalli, Jayashankar, Nagarkurnool, Yadadgiri Bhuvanagiri, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Hanmakomda, Jangaon, Kamareddy, and Warangal saw the mercury rise above 45C, with all other 13 districts facing similar scorching conditions of above 44C temperatures.

Deccan Chronicle 6 May 2024 12:09 am

Nama Nageswara Rao reaches out to TDP cadre

KHAMMAM: BRS Khammam candidate Nama Nageswara Rao on Saturday reiterated his demand for Bharat Ratna for former chief minister and TDP founder NT Rama Rao. In an interaction with TDP workers here, the former MP said he joined politics inspired by NTR and had worked under yellow party supremo N Chandrababu Naidu. He also spoke of his efforts to install a statue of NTR in the Parliament complex in New Delhi. The BRS leader recalled that he had written many letters to the Union government demanding that the countrys highest civilian honour be bestowed upon NTR. Nageswara Rao said he continued to enjoy a healthy relationship with TDP workers. They (TDP cadre) have helped me whenever I needed them. In return, I have tried to support the TDP in my personal capacity whenever I could. This party helped instil this culture in me, the BRS nominee said, urging the TDP cadre to support him so that he could continue serving society.

The New Indian Express 5 May 2024 11:59 am

Its Gujarat vs Telangana: CM Revanth

KHAMMAM/HYDERABAD: Stating that the coming election was a fight between Gujarat and Telangana, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Saturday exhorted the people to vote for the Congress and defeat the Gujarat team. The chief minister participated in a Jana Jatara Sabha in Kothagudem of Khammam constituency and a corner meeting in Kothakota of Mahbubnagar district as well as a roadshow in Secunderabad. Addressing a massive gathering in Kothagudem, Revanth said that the December 3 elections results were a semi-final while the finals would be played on May 13. Stating that the erstwhile Khammam district has a great fighting history, the chief minister that the separate Telangana slogan first rent the air in Palvoncha. As Lord Rama of Bhadrachalam is my witness, I swear that farm loans would be waived before August 15, Revanth said. He also disclosed that Rythu Bharosa amounts would be credited into the accounts of the remaining four lakh farmers by May 9. The coming election is a fight between Gujarat and Telangana and we should win the championship by defeating the Gujarat team. Though the Congress-led UPA government had included many issues favouring Telangana in the AP Reorganisation Act, Narendra Modi cheated the people by not implementing them, Revanth alleged. Alleging a tacit understanding between the BJP and BRS to defeat the Congress, the TPCC chief appealed to the people to defeat all nefarious plots against the grand old party by voting for it in the General Elections. The BRS car has gone to the mechanics shed and it will never come back. In fact, it should be sold as scrap, Revanth said. Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of insulting even the bifurcation of the state, the TPCC chief said that it was ridiculous that the former was now coming to the people seeking votes. He also reiterated his allegation that the BJP was conspiring to scrap reservations for the marginalised sections and would do so if it gets a third term in power. Turning his attention to the BRS, Revanth alleged that former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao left Telangana debt-ridden by taking loans worth `7 lakh crore. He advised BRS Khammam candidate Nama Nageswara Rao not to become a scapegoat of KCR by believing the latters words of a Union Cabinet berth. Revanth appealed to the people of Khammam to ensure Congress candidate R Raghuram Reddy and Mahabubabad candidate Balaram Naik win by at least three lakh votes each. Addressing a public meeting at Kothakota, Revanth said: Even if KD (KCR) comes from Gajwel and Modi from Delhi, the Congress cannot be defeated in Mahbubnagar. He said: To shift Mudiraj community from BC- D to BC - A and to include Valmiki Boyas in the ST list, Congress candidate Vamshi Chand Reddy should win. He accused BJP candidate DK Aruna of colluding with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and filing cases in Delhi to bring down Revanth Reddy. Addressing the Khammam crowd, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said that closed thermal power stations in the state would be revived. He also announced that interest-free loans worth `1 lakh crore would be provided to self-help groups in the coming five years. Vikramarka also accused KCR of falsely claiming that he turned SCCL into a profit-making enterprise. Ministers Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy and Thummala Nageswara Rao were among those present.

The New Indian Express 5 May 2024 11:48 am

Khammam LS seat in Telangana heading for interesting battle

Khammam: The Khammam Lok Sabha constituency in Telangana is set to witness an interesting contest among Congress, BRS and BJP. While Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is facing an acid test in retaining the seat, following its crushing defeat in recent Assembly elections, the Congress party with the help of the Left appears confident of wresting 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 .

The Siasat Daily 5 May 2024 11:19 am

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.

The New Indian Express 5 May 2024 11:03 am

Revanth Reddy: Bury BRS before it turns saffron

CM calls for 30,000 crore for agri loan waiver, emphasizing Khammam's political importance and criticizing BJP leaders for their treatment of various regions. He warns about potential Constitutional changes by the BJP.

The Times of India 5 May 2024 7:15 am

Khammam: CPM Backs Congress' Ramashyam Reddy, Urges BJP Defeat for Democracy

Khammam: CPM district secretary Nunna Nageshwar Rao on Friday said that there was dire need to defeat the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections to save democracy and secularism. He was speaking at a campaign meeting in support of Congress Khammam candidate Ramashyam Raghuveera Reddy. Nageshwar Rao alleged that the BJP was the most corrupt party, having received Rs 16,000 crore in electoral bonds. The Modi government had privatised public sector units to benefit corporates. The CPM leader alleged that the BJP had been trying to get political mileage by creating differences among the people in the name of religion. It was also conspired to amend the Constitution, which was a threat to secularism and the reservation system. He said that CPM members would work for the victory of Raghuveera Reddy by explaining to the people the threat posed by the BJP

Deccan Chronicle 4 May 2024 11:47 pm

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.

Deccan Chronicle 4 May 2024 6:11 pm

Ahmed Patel advised me not to interfere in Khammam politics: Telangana CM

Hyderabad: Describing the people of Khammam region as highly enlightened fighters who would stop at nothing to achieve their cause by waging movements, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said that he was advised by former MP Ahmed Patel to be cautious, and not to meddle with local politics in Khammam. Addressing the Congress Jana Jathara 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 .

The Siasat Daily 4 May 2024 5:52 pm

BRS, BJP colluding to undermine Congress, alleges Telangana CM Revanth Reddy

BRS, BJP colluding to undermine Congress, alleges Telangana CM Revanth Reddy Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Saturday alleged that BJP and BRS, with an ''internal understanding'', were conspiring to defeat Congress in the Lok Sabha polls. He was addressing an election rally at Kothagudem in Khammam Lok Sabha constituency. Revanth Reddy, who is also president of Congress in Telangana, referred to BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao's comments that a coalition government would be formed at the Centre and that BRS nominee from Khammam Nama Nageswara Rao would become a Union Minister. Observing that Congress activists would not allow any truck between Congress and BRS, he said BJP is the only option left for BRS to join hands in government formation at the Centre. ''You (Chandrasekhar Rao) are going to join hands with BJP. That is we have been saying and you have been doing,'' he said. BRS had supported the BJP-led government at the Centre on demonetisation, GST, triple talaq, CAA, uniform civil code and others, he claimed. ''Even today, a conspiracy is on in Telangana. With an internal understanding, BJP and BJP are making conspiracies to see that Congress does not win,'' he said. He said the Legislative Assembly elections held in December were a ''semifinal'', while the Lok Sabha polls are the ''final.'' ''In the finals, (the contest is between) Telangana team vs Gujarat team. While Narendra Modi is leading that team, Rahul Gandhi ji is going to lead the Telangana team,'' he said. He alleged that the BJP-led government at the Centre did not implement the assurances made to Telangana in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act like setting up a steel plant, rail coach factory and tribal university. All that the BJP-led government gave to Telangana is a ''donkey's egg'', he claimed, also displaying the picture of a ''donkey's egg.'' The ''donkey's egg'' (denoting zero or insignificant as per a Telugu saying) has been a routine feature in Revanth Reddy's rallies during the ongoing campaign for Lok Sabha polls. Reiterating his allegation that BJP would change the Constitution and abolish reservations, he claimed that BJP General Secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam talked about making changes in the Constitution and its Preamble. State BJP president G Kishan Reddy and other party leaders have already dismissed Revanth Reddy's claims that BJP would change the Constitution. Taking exception to BRS president Chandrasekhar Rao's alleged comments that the farmers' investment scheme has stopped after BRS stepped down from office, Revanth Reddy asserted that he would apologise if any dues of the scheme are pending for any farmer by May 9.

devdiscourse 4 May 2024 5:21 pm

Hyderabad records seasons highest temp at 44.20C

HYDERABAD: The city recorded the highest temperature of this summer season yet on Friday amidst the prevailing heatwave conditions in the state for the past week. According to the Telangana State Development and Planning Society (TSDPS), Hyderabad witnessed the highest maximum temperature of 44.20C in Quthbullapur, marking a one degree rise from Thursdays 43.20C. The IMD also reported a sharp rise in temperatures in the city and said the ongoing heatwave will persist for the next four days across Telangana. IMD officials, speaking to TNIE said, Hyderabad recorded the highest temperature of the season on Friday. Maximum temperatures were higher compared to the last two years. Heatwave conditions are expected to persist in the state for the next four days, after which there will be a significant drop in temperatures. However, temperatures are expected to rise again towards the end of the month and continue until the start of June. Maximum temperatures in the state nearly reached 470C, with four districts Peddapalli, Suryapet, Jagtial and Khammam recording a maximum temperature of 46.70C, followed by Mancherial and Nalgonda at 46.50C. As many as 29 districts were under a red alert for extreme temperatures, with the mercury crossing the 450C mark. Adilabad, Medak, Sangareddy and Hyderabad recorded temperatures above 440C, with an orange alert issued. Light rains in parts of TG from May 6 The TSDPS further said that 95 mandals in the state experienced heatwave conditions with maximum temperature departures ranging from 4.5 degree to 6.4 degree celsius in these places. The highest maximum average temperature in the state on Friday was 43.1 degree against the normal 40.7 degree, whereas the GHMCs maximum average temperature was 42.4 degree against 39.8 degree normal. According to IMD, dry weather will prevail in the state till May 6, after which light to moderate rains or thundershowers are expected in isolated parts under the influence of a weather system from south Chhatisgarh to south Tamil Nadu across Rayalaseema and Telangana. IMD also issued an orange warning for heatwave in the state till May 6. The city is also expected to experience higher temperatures, with a maximum of 43 degree and minimum of 28 degree, along with north-westerly winds at speeds of around 4-8 kmph.

The New Indian Express 4 May 2024 10:01 am

Follow alliance dharma to defeat BJP: CPI to Telangana Congress

Khammam: Accusing the Congress of being immature, Communist Party of India Telangana Secretary Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao urged the party to be wise enough to bring along all ideologically like-minded parties to defeat the BJP which, he said, is a theocratic party. He wants Congress to follow alliance dharma which he said is essential to defeat 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 .

The Siasat Daily 4 May 2024 8:38 am

Telangana: Extreme Heatwave, Mercury Soaring Above 46 Degrees Celsius

Hyderabad : The state is currently experiencing severe heat wave conditions, with at least 18 districts recording temperatures exceeding 46C on Friday. This alarming weather phenomenon has prompted the India Meteorological Department to issue heat wave alerts across various districts. Peddapalli, Suryapet, Jagitial, and Khammam are bearing the brunt of the scorching heat, each recording a peak temperature of 46.7C. Close behind were Mancherial and Nalgonda at 46.6C, and Karimnagar at 46.5C. Other districts like Mahbubabad, Narayanpet, Jayashankar, and Warangal also reported extremely high temperatures ranging from 46.3C to 46.4C, data from the Telangana State Development Planning Society (TSDPS) showed. Hyderabad, has reported an average temperature of 44C, while its outskirts like Keesara and Ghatkesar reached 45.1C, and Chikur and Moinabad recorded temperatures of 44.8C. The IMD has issued a yellow alert indicating a likely continuation of heat wave conditions from until May 7, across districts including Nirmal, Nizamabad, Jagitial, and Rajanna Sircilla. An orange alert for prolonged heat waves has been announced for districts such as Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalapally, Mulugu, and others. These alerts signal potential health risks and advisories for residents to take precautions. The forecast also predicted the possibility of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds ranging from 30-50 kmph, adding a layer of complexity to the existing weather challenges.

Deccan Chronicle 4 May 2024 1:41 am

Muslims, Christians, Hindus moving forward with feeling of brotherhood: BRS's Nama Nageswara Rao on Owaisi's remark

Muslims, Christians, Hindus moving forward with feeling of brotherhood: BRS's Nama Nageswara Rao on Owaisi's remark In reaction to All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief Asaduddin Owaisi's remarks to ANI comparing the situation of Muslims in today's India to that of Jews in Germany during dictator Adolf Hitler's era, Bharat Rashta Samithi (BRS) candidate from Khammam, Nama Nageswara Rao said that all religious communities in the country are moving forward with the feeling of brotherhood. The BRS leader however said that some people are trying to create a divide between people in the society which should not happen. In India, Muslims, Christians and Hindus are moving forward with the feeling of brotherhood. Some people try to create rivalry between Hindus and Muslims, Hindus and Christians. This is not good for the country. We governed Hyderabad very peacefully. The way some people are dividing the society is not right, Rao said speaking to ANI on Friday. Objecting to the recent practice of raising Jai Shree Ram slogans in Parliament, Rao said, Even in Parliament Jai Shree Ram slogans are raised. This was not the culture earlier. This should not happen. Everyone should protect democracy. Speaking about the developmental works undertaken by the BRS government when it was in power in Telangana and comparing that to the Congress government in the state, Rao said, KCR used to give gifts to Muslims in Ramzan. Congress used Muslims for vote bank. KCR has protected Muslims and undertook development works for them when the BRS was in power. They (Congress) did not give Ramzan gifts to Muslims this time. The BRS leader said that Muslims are ready to support his party even today. I went to some mosques recently. Till today they are ready to help me and our party. The BRS takes all Hindus, Christians and Muslims together, Rao said. On Rahul Gandhi filing his nomination from Uttar Pradesh's Raebareli, besides contesting from Kerala's Wayanad, Rao quipped saying that he must have thought Wayanad to be a safe seat in case he loses from Raebareli. If he does not contest from there, people might criticize saying that he has run away and gone south. If he loses, they will say that he has lost. Since he thought that it (Wayanad) is a safe seat, he is contested from the south, Rao said. Speaking on some reports in the past that Rahul Gandhi would be contesting from Khammam, the BRS leader said, For one month, all papers and TVs reported that he will be contesting from here. It would have been nice. I wanted to fight against him. Polling for all 17 seats in Telangana will take place on May 13, in the fourth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The BRS, which was then the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), claimed the lion's share of the electoral spoils in the 2019 polls, winning 9 seats while the BJP secured 4 seats. The Congress and the AIMIM brought up the rear, winning 3 and 1 seats respectively. (ANI)

devdiscourse 3 May 2024 11:07 pm

BRS Would Split into Four after LS Elections: Komatireddy

Nalgonda: Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy on Thursday said that BRS would split into four parts after the Lok Sabha elections. BRS president K. Chandrashekar Rao had looted the public when he was Chief Minister. His daughter K. Kavitha was spending time in jail and Rao would meet the same fate, Venkat Reddy said. He was speaking at a meeting to mark the filing of nomination papers by Chinthapandu Naveen (Teenmar Mallanna), Congress candidate for the Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda graduates constituency of the Legislative Council. He said that GO 46 passed by the BRS government had done injustice to the unemployed. The Congress government would cancel the order after discussing it in the Assembly, he said. The Congress government was committed to fulfiling its poll promises, he added. Venkat Reddy asked Congress workers to strive for a victory margin of one lakh votes for Mallanna. Mallanna earlier filed a set of nomination papers with returning officer Harichanda Dasari at the district collectorate.

Deccan Chronicle 3 May 2024 10:17 pm

Heatwave to Persist for Two More Days in Eastern and Southern Peninsular India

Heatwave to Persist for Two More Days in Eastern and Southern Peninsular India The record-breaking heatwave spell affecting east India and parts of the southern peninsular region continued unabated on Friday, with temperatures settling above 44 degrees Celsius in at least 13 places. Intensely hot conditions prevailed in parts of Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Maximum temperatures settled in the range of 43-46 degrees Celsius in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Vidarbha, Madhya Maharashtra and 40-43 degrees in parts of Gangetic West Bengal, Marathwada and north interior Karnataka, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. Nandyal in Andhra Pradesh sizzled at 46.3 degrees Celsius, the highest maximum temperature in the country on Friday. The mercury settled at 44.6 degrees Celsius in Odisha's Boudh, 45 degrees in Khammam (Telangana), 46.2 degrees in Cuddapah (Andhra Pradesh), 43.4 degrees in Erode (Tamil Nadu), and 44.6 degrees in West Bengal's Kalaikunda. The IMD said the ongoing heatwave spell in east and south peninsular India will continue until May 5-6 and abate thereafter. The Met office on Wednesday said above-normal maximum temperatures are likely over most parts of the country in May and a significantly high number of heatwave days expected over the northern plains, central region and adjoining areas of peninsular India. April witnessed record-smashing maximum temperatures in east, northeast and southern peninsular India, prompting health warnings from government agencies and some states to suspend in-person classes in schools. A number of stations recorded their highest-ever April day temperatures. Five active western disturbances led to rainfall, thunderstorms and hail storms over north and central India at regular intervals in April, preventing heat waves. IMD data shows that heat waves this April were far worse than in 2023, the warmest year on record so far. This trend is likely to continue in May, with around eight to 11 heatwave days predicted over the south Rajasthan, west Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Marathwada and the Gujarat regions. The remaining parts of Rajasthan, east Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and some parts of Chhattisgarh, interior Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, north interior Karnataka and Telangana may record five to seven heatwave days during the month. Normally, the northern plains, central India and adjoining areas of peninsular India experience around three days of heat waves in May. India witnessed two spells of heat waves in April -- from April 5 to 7 and April 15 to 30. The IMD attributed the prolonged heatwave spell over east, northeast and south peninsular India in April to the absence of thunderstorms and an anticyclone at lower levels over the west central Bay of Bengal and the adjoining eastern coasts of India. This caused the sea breeze to cut off over Odisha and West Bengal on most days. The weather office said south peninsular India recorded an average maximum temperature of 31 degrees Celsius in April, the second-highest since 1901. The mean temperature (28.12 degrees Celsius) in April in east and northeast India was the highest since 1901, it said. The IMD said above-normal maximum temperatures have become frequent over south peninsular India since the 1980s. The region recorded 12.6 mm rainfall in April -- the fifth lowest since 1901 and the second-lowest since 2001. According to IMD data, the number of heatwave days this April was the highest in 15 years in Gangetic West Bengal and nine years in Odisha. Odisha also experienced the longest heatwave spell (16 days) in April since 2016. Amid the prevailing but weakening El Nino conditions, the IMD had earlier warned of extreme heat during the April-June period, coinciding with the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections. Hundreds of thousands of voters had to cope with the searing heat when they stepped out to exercise their franchise in the second phase of the elections on April 26. Polling for 94 constituencies across 12 states will take place on May 7. The weather office had earlier expected four to eight heatwave days in different parts of the country in April against a normal of one to three days. Ten to 20 heatwave days are expected against a normal of four to eight in the entire April-June period.

devdiscourse 3 May 2024 10:11 pm

After Varun Tej, Venkatesh to hit campaign trail

Close on the heels of Varun Tej, who campaigned for his uncle and super star Pawan Kalyan in Pithapuram, seasoned star Venkatesh is likely to campaign in Telangana in the ensuing Lok Sabha election as he is expected to campaign for a close relative contesting from Khammam seat. Already Venkateshs elder daughter Aashritha took part in the election campaign for her father-in-law Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy, who is contesting as a Congress candidate in Khammam. Lets vote on May 13 and get our Raghuram Reddy elected, 34-year-old Aashritha said when invited to speak at a campaign meeting. Venkatesh, it is said, will campaign for Raghuram Reddy on May 7. Aashritha is married to Raghuram Reddys son Vinayak Reddy. The wedding took place at the Jaipur Palace in 2019. Rahguram Reddys father R Surender Reddy is a four-time MP, having got elected thrice from Warangal and once from Mahabubabad constituency. Venkatesh's decision to step into the political arena on behalf of the Congress party came as a surprise to many. Known for his discretion in political matters, Venkatesh's entry into the fray adds an intriguing twist. The illustrious Daggubati family boasts a legacy entrenched in both cinema and politics. Dr. D. Ramanaidu, a towering figure in the film industry, transitioned seamlessly into politics, serving as an MP for the Telugu Desam Party. However, despite his efforts, the unexpected defeat in the 14th Lok Sabha elections led the family to retreat from political engagements. While other stars like Balakrishna and Pawan Kalyan are campaigning hard for their individual seats as well as for the TDP-BJP and Jana Sena alliance candidates across Andhra Pradesh.

Deccan Chronicle 3 May 2024 3:59 pm

Hyderabad: Four arrested in Old City for mobile theft

Hyderabad: The Mirchowk Police took four individuals into custody on Wednesday in connection with a mobile theft incident that occurred at Nayapul on April 25. The complainant, Mohammed Abdul Jaleel from Khammam, reported that he was traveling from Nayapul to MGBS when the theft took place. During the auto ride, he found himself uncomfortably squeezed 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 .

The Siasat Daily 3 May 2024 12:38 pm

Peoples positive response prompts Telangana CM to persist with reservation issue

HYDERABAD : Encouraged by the positive response he is receiving from the people, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is keeping up his relentless attack on the BJP over the reservations issue. If sources are to be believed, the CM is getting reports from the Intelligence wing, suggesting that the people are responding positively to his criticism of the BJP. Revanth has been claiming during his election campaigns that the saffron party will scrap SC, ST and OBC reservations if it retains power at the Centre. The chief minister has sought information from the Intelligence wing. As per its reports, people are responding well whenever the CM is attacking the BJP over the reservations issue. Thats why he is raising the issue at every public meeting and during roadshows, a source said. Daily LS poll reviews Meanwhile, the CM is said to be holding daily reviews on the Lok Sabha elections, discussing the changing trends as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the Congress candidates. Revanth, who is also the president of the TPCC, is seeking reports from his party colleagues on a daily basis. Every morning, he reviews campaign activities and other election-related issues. He is also thoroughly studying the reports that he is getting from the ground level. He is also looking into internal survey reports. If he finds any drawbacks in any constituency, he is giving his suggestions to overcome them, said another source. Meanwhile, a party leader said that the Congress will have an edge in several segments while the BRS candidates will finish in third place in at least 10 seats. The party has so far conducted three surveys, covering all constituencies, after announcing the final list of its candidates. During an informal chat with the reporters, the CM said that in most constituencies, the main battle is between the Congress and BJP. Wherever the BJP is weak, like Khammam, Nalgonda and Mahabubabad, the BRS is in second place, he said.

The New Indian Express 3 May 2024 9:10 am

Cong, BRS invoke NTR to attract Kamma voters in Khammam

KHAMMAM : Expecting a tough battle in Khammam Lok Sabha constituency, the Congress and BRS are invoking TDP founder and former chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh NT Rama Rao to woo Kammas, a dominant community in the segment. In fact, the leaders of these two parties are praising late NTR and his policies with the sole aim of luring the Kamma voters to their side. BRS president and former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, during a recent roadshow, described NTR as the saviour of the downtrodden and recalled how thousands of poor people benefited from his Rs 2 per kg rice and other welfare schemes introduced by him. BRS candidate Nama Nageswara Rao, who is seeking re-election from Khammam, is playing the Kamma card in an attempt to woo the voters of this community. Not to be left behind, the Congress leaders too joined the bandwagon of praising the former CM. Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy is leaving no opportunity go waste in praising NTR during public meetings and roadshows being held in the constituency. He is even demanding that the TDP founder be honoured with the Bharat Ratna. The Congress has also roped in popular actor Daggubati Venkateshs daughter Aashritha to campaign for its candidate Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy. Aashritha, who is married to Raghurams eldest son Vinayak Reddy, has been campaigning vigorously, reaching out to as many people as possible especially in high-rise apartment complexes. Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddys daughter Swapni, who is married to Raghurams second son Arjun Reddy, is also campaigning on behalf of her father-in-law. Actor Venkatesh too would be joining his daughter to campaign for Raghuram on May 7. BJP candidate Tandra relies on Modis popularity BJP candidate Tandra Vinod Rao, meanwhile, is on a whirlwind tour of the constituency, visiting even remote areas to reach out to maximum number of people. Vinod Rao, who belongs to the Velama community, is highlighting the achievement of Narendra Modi government during his campaign even while projecting himself as a local who will strive to turn Khammam into a model constituency if people give him the opportunity to serve as an MP.

The New Indian Express 3 May 2024 9:03 am

Graduate segment bypolls: Three file nominations on 1st day

NALGONDA : As part of the Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Graduate Constituency Legislative Council bypoll, three candidates filed their nominations on the first day Thursday. Bandaru Nagaraju, an independent candidate, filed one set of nominations, while Srikanth Reddy from Prajavani party filed another set, and Nandipati Janaiah from Telangana Sakala Janula Party submitted one set of nominations. Following the Election Commission of Indias (ECI) instructions, the notification for the bye-election was issued by the district collector and MLC Returning Officer Dasari Hari Chandana on Thursday. Following this, the nomination process commenced. The returning officer confirmed that three candidates had submitted their nominations on the first day of the process.

The New Indian Express 3 May 2024 8:48 am