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Telangana CM questions BJP’s 400+ claim

The Telangana CM said PM Modi was trying to build a false narrative that the NDA was winning more than 400 seats in the ensuing polls….reports Asian Lite News

Questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ” Aab Ki Baar 400 Paar ” claim, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Saturday asked why the BJP is patching up with old partners and bringing new ones into its fold if it is so confident of the NDA winning over 400 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing a gathering in Hyderabad, CM Reddy said, “Modi is going around the country claiming that they (BJP-led NDA) are on course to getting over 400 seats (in the Lok Sabha polls). If they are getting over 400 seats then what is the need for allying with Chandrababu Naidu (in Andhra Pradesh) and Naveen Patnaik (in Odisha)?”

While the BJP clinched a seat-sharing deal with the TDP and actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena ahead of the Lok Sabha polls and ensuing Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, talks are believed to be ongoing over a similar arrangement in Odisha.

The Telangana CM said PM Modi was trying to build a false narrative that the NDA was winning more than 400 seats in the ensuing polls.

“In Maharashtra, they (BJP) engineered splits in the Shiv Sena and the NCP. In Karnataka, they joined hands with HD Dewe Gowda while in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, they patched up with Chandrababu Naidu. In Bihar, they got Nitish Kumar and the JDU back on their side while also ensuring an alliance with Apna Dal’s Anupriya Patel in Uttar Pradesh. They are also in talks with Naveen Patnaik for an alliance in Odisha. If the BJP is confident of winning 400 seats, why are they approaching Opposition leaders and parties for alliances?” Reddy questioned.

Also taking a swipe at the BJP over rising fuel and LPG prices, the Telangana CM pointed out that despite LPG being brought within the ambit of GST, prices of cooking gas have skyrocketed from Rs. 400 to Rs 1,200 over the last eight years.

“Today, the price of domestic LPG cylinders, which earlier cost Rs 400 per cylinder, has risen to Rs 1,200. The price of petrol has gone up from Rs 50 per litre to Rs 110 per litre while diesel is also priced at Rs 100 per litre, up from Rs 40 per litre. And, I need not go into the soaring rates of kitchen essentials such as salt, pulses, oil and tamarind. With prices going through the roof, would you still vote (for the BJP)?” he asked.

Earlier, on Saturday, the BJP announced an alliance with the Telugu Desam Party and the Jana Sena ahead of the general elections.

BJP national president JP Nadda said a broad consensus was reached that the TDP, Jana Sena and the BJP will contest the ensuing Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections together in Andhra Pradesh.

The TDP, which was part of the National Democratic Alliance until 2018, expressed an interest in reviving the tie-up after suffering a crushing defeat in the 2019 elections.

The state has 25 Lok Sabha and 175 Assembly seats. Elections to the Lok Sabha are expected to be held sometime between April and May.

The ruling party is eyeing a third term under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has set a target of winning 370 seats on its own and 400 with its allies. (ANI)

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Telangana Plans AI City

The focus will not just be on creating digital infrastructure but also making it accessible and affordable to all sections of society…reports Asian Lite News

The Revanth Reddy Government of Telangana will develop an Artificial Intelligence (AI) City in Hyderabad and will bring a new policy to promote industries and services sectors in the state.

The Revanth Reddy Government would also make the internet a basic right.

The focus will not just be on creating digital infrastructure but also making it accessible and affordable to all sections of society.

These announcements were made by Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan in her address to the joint session of the Legislative Assembly and Council on the first day of the Budget Session.

Stating that the state government was determined to harness the power of new technology, particularly AI, she said it will position Hyderabad and Telangana as the AI capital of the country by inviting the top global and national technology companies to set up their AI centres.

“We will set up a dedicated AI City in 50-100 acres,” she said.

Observing that the state’s massive potential for propelling industrial and service sector growth was only partly tapped, the Governor said the government intends to bring a completely new paradigm to supporting these two vital sectors.

The Telangana Government intends to introduce a new policy that will be based on a thorough study of existing ground realities, feedback from stakeholders, and taking cognisance of global best practices.

Telangana will strive to become a role-model state where new and existing investors face no hurdles not only at the time of entry but also during their continuing operations and future expansions, she said.

She stated that the government will also announce a new policy to help Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with improved technology, the ability to recruit skilled manpower, financing, market access, and the prevention of industrial sickness.

An exclusive institutional mechanism will be set up to handhold MSMEs and support their grievances. Assuring continued support to ‘champion sectors’ like IT and Pharma, she said the government is proposing to set up 10-12 Pharma village clusters, each spread over an area of 1000 to 3000 acres.

She noted that global investors announced over Rs.40,000 crore investments in Telangana at the recent World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, where the Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Industries Minister led a delegation.

The government will also implement a thorough digital literacy program to ensure that every household, regardless of its economic status or location, will be able to benefit from the rapid digital adoption of opportunities that are arising.

The government will lay special emphasis to sectors that have been underutilised as compared to their potential, like leather and footwear, gems and jewellery, chemicals and plastic, engineering goods, FMCG products, high-value food processing, Electric Mobility, and storage and ensure that dedicated industrial parks and supporting ecosystems are created for each.

According to a top priority to skill training and vocational education to address skill gaps and meet the requirements of Industry 4.0, the government will transform all government ITIs in the state into Advanced Technology Centres, with an estimated cost of about Rs. 2,000 crore.

These centres will offer NCVT-approved long-term and short-term courses in high demand trades and will benefit nearly one lakh youth in Telangana.

Skill universities will be established across the state to prepare a skilled and empowered workforce. These skill universities will serve as centres of excellence, equipping our youth with the necessary knowledge and expertise to meet the demands of a rapidly-evolving job market.

To increase the energy share from clean energy, the government will come up with a comprehensive energy policy to promote all types of green energy like solar, wind, hybrid (solar and wind), as well as storage (pumped or battery) to meet peak requirements.

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Telangana Woos Investors

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said the state government’s participation in WEF conference is aimed at attracting investments to the state….reports Asian Lite News

The Telangana government has launched the ‘Invest in Telangana’ campaign at the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting at Davos, Switzerland.

The 54th Annual Conference of the World Economic Forum began in Davos on Monday. The three-day conference brings together top decision-makers from government, business, and civil society to address major global issues and priorities for the year ahead.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said the state government’s participation in WEF conference is aimed at attracting investments to the state.

As part of this, he along with state minister for information technology and industries D. Sridhar Babu, is meeting representatives of leading global companies.

On the first day of their visit on Monday, the delegation had discussions with prominent participants and showcased the strengths of Telangana, which has developed as a major center for the information technology and life sciences.

The Chief Minister met World Economic Forum president Borge Brende, other organisers and key personalities. He explained the investment opportunities that Telangana offers. He also highlighted the priorities of the new government formed in the state.

According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), discussions were held with the view that if governments, entrepreneurs, business and trade leadership work together, this will make people prosperous by improving their living standards and ensuring sustainable development.

Later, Reddy met Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen Hassen and discussed the initiatives taken by Telangana for industrial development.

The Telangana delegation also had a meeting with National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) Debjani Ghosh. The special focus of the meeting was on skill development in the state and the programmes to be undertaken for the same. They discussed skill development, placement commitment and employment opportunities for students of engineering and degree courses.

Earlier, several NRIs welcomed chief minister Reddy and Sridhar Babu at Zurich Airport. They interacted with prominent members of the Indian diaspora.

The Chief Minister expressed his happiness to be part of his government’s efforts towards the progress of all people through inclusive and balanced development.

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Congress ‘hand’ stops BRS ‘car’ in Telangana

The Congress is leading on 61 seats while the BRS on 36 and the BJP leading on 10, as per ECI….reports Asian Lite News

The Congress ‘hand’ has stopped Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) ‘car’ in Telangana as the grand old party has comfortably reached the majority mark as per the latest trends of the Election Commission of India.

The Congress is leading on 61 seats while the BRS on 36 and the BJP leading on 10, as per ECI.

Telangana Congress President, Anumula Revanth Reddy is leading from the Kamareddy seat leaving CM KCR trailing behind.

Revanth Reddy is MP in the Lok Sabha from INC representing Malkajgiri Constituency. Earlier, He was a two-time MLA in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly from TDP in 2009 and 2014 and in the Telangana Assembly between 2014 and 2018 representing Kodangal Constituency.

He left TDP and joined Congress in 2017.

In June 2021, he was appointed as president of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee replacing N. Uttam Kumar Reddy.

Both Congress candidate Konda Surekha and Naini Rajender Reddy are leading from Warangal East and West seats.

Telangana CM KCR is leading from the Gajwel seat. Since the formation of the State in the year 2014, BRS has been holding power with KCR as its chief minister.

Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao (KTR) is leading from Sircilla, which is considered one of the most important seats. KTR fought from the same seat in the 2018 elections and won.

Payal Shanker from BJP is leading on the Adilabad seat while Dhanpal Suryanarayana leading from Nizamabad (Urban).

Jaffar Hussain from AIMIM is leading on the Yakutpura seat.

Celebrations were seen outside the Congress office in Hyderabad over the party crossing the halfway mark comfortably. The party cadre chanted “Bye bye KCR”.

The Telangana election results will be important for the Congress as it heads into the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. A win in Karnataka and Telangana would further concrete its presence in the South.

The Congress party, which is now in reckoning, was completely written off just six months ago. Several factors could have contributed to the Congress’s upturn: Perceived anti-incumbency at the constituency level against BRS MLAs; energy infused by the Karnataka victory in the party leaders and cadres; the BJP’s decline following the removal of Bandi Sanjay as the Telangana unit chief; and the perception that the BRS and AIMIM are in cahoots with the BJP.

Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury said that Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) leaders are in touch with the grand old party.

On being asked if BRS leaders are in touch with the Congress party, Renuka Chowdhury told ANI “Of course! Today’s politics is like that. They are in touch with us. Sometimes they take away ours (MLAs), and sometimes theirs come here.”

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar who is in Telangana as an AICC observer on Sunday spoke about the possibility of MLA poaching and said that not even a single MLA or candidate will break.

TPCC Vice President Kiran Kumar Chamala also spoke on the MLA poaching issue in Telangana and said that the party’s MLAs will not be provoked.

“It’s not the trend what we see this morning, these are the waves and positive vibrations in Telangana. The 6 guarantees that Sonia Gandhi has promised to the people of Telangana have turned the tide towards us. Poaching is one of the main agenda of KCR. We have taken some measurements. But after seeing the trends, we don’t think it is needed. At least we’ll have 80-plus seats. Our President Revanth Reddy is also leading. Everything is under control and our MLAs will not be provoked,” the TPCC Vice President said.

The fate of 2,290 candidates from 109 parties including the national and regional parties will be revealed as the counting proceeds. The contestants include 221 women and one transgender. A total of 103 legislators are re-contesting this time, most of them from the ruling BRS.

A clear picture of the result is likely to emerge by noon.

Telangana went to vote on November 30. In 2018, BRS (then Telangana Rashtra Samithi) won 88 of the 119 seats and had a 47.4 per cent vote share. The Congress came a distant second with 19 seats.

‘BRS leaders are in touch with us’

As the latest trends show that Congress is leading on 58 seats in 119-member Telangana Assembly, party leader Renuka Chowdhury said that Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) leaders are in touch with the grand old party.

On being asked if BRS leaders are in touch with the Congress party, Renuka Chowdhury told ANI “Of course! Today’s politics is like that. They are in touch with us. Sometimes they take away ours (MLAs), and sometimes theirs come here.”

Latest trends show Congress inching closer to the halfway mark in Telangana, leading on 58 seats while BRS is leading on 33, BJP on 7 and CPI on 1.

“I had been saying for more than a year because we tapped into the pulse of the public. We understood that a big change is going to come and that is what is happening. Victory is ours, I am very confident. People were tired of BRS. BJP and BRS are one – everyone understood it. They also understand the dangerous role that AIMIM played. I think AIMIM, Owaisi has suffered the biggest loss in this game. People understood the truth behind the wrong step he took at the national level. It is unfortunate because I had always considered him to be an intelligent man. When Congress contests unitedly, no force in the country can stand against us,” Renuka Chowdhury added.

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Campaigning Ends in Telangana; KCR Eyes History

If K Chandrashekar Rao, widely known as KCR, wins another term in office, it will be the first occasion when a Chief Minister from a Southern state will get a third straight term in office…reports Asian Lite News

Campaigning for the high-stakes battle in Telangana ended on Tuesday with Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao seeking a third term in office on the basis of the party’s performance and promises over the past 10 years, Congress talking of momentum in its favour to form its first government in the state and the BJP also promising to end “misrule and corruption” of the ruling Bharatiya Rasthra Samithi.

The aggressive campaigning saw the Congress and BJP repeatedly raising issues concerning people, with the BRS leaders expressing confidence about the delivery of their programmes.

The three parties have made big promises in their manifestos. Polling in the state will be held on November 30 with counting of votes to take place on December 3 along with four other states.

If K Chandrashekar Rao, widely known as KCR, wins another term in office, it will be the first occasion when a Chief Minister from a Southern state will get a third straight term in office.

The Congress campaign in Telangana apparently picked up momentum after Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra and the party’s victory in assembly polls in neighbouring Karnataka.

The Congress chief in the state Anumula Revanth Reddy, 54, is seen as a leader who has taken on KCR and the party is keen to gain from the anti-incumbency against the government.

Congress leaders have been reminding residents of India’s youngest state of the role played by former party chief Sonia Gandhi in its creation in 2014.

Political analysts feel that the fortunes of BJP, which was emerging as an alternative to BRS with its victories in two by-polls and strong performance in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation election, dipped a few months ago.

BJP leaders have been strongly attacking the KCR to fend off any perception of the party being soft towards the ruling party in Telangana. They have accused the Chief Minister of being “inaccessible” and ruling from a “farmhouse”. BJP leaders have also accused KCR of propagating dynastic politics and said that suggestions by KCR to join NDA were not accepted. BRS leaders have refuted the suggestions about their intention to join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

One of the key BJP promises is to make a person from the Backward Class community a Chief Minister if the party gets support from the people of the state to form a government.

The party has also reached out to various communities and the BJP-led government last week set in motion the process of setting up a committee that will go into the issue of sub-categorisation of the Madiga community within the Scheduled Castes. It has been a long-pending demand of the community.

BJP has promised in its manifesto to implement the Uniform Civil Code and quash 4 per cent reservation for Muslims and instead increase the quota for OBCs, SCs and STs in the state.

The party said that a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge will investigate all “corruption cases” against the ruling BRS.

It has promised four free LPG cylinders per year to poor families, Rs 2 Lakh to every girl child from a poor family after she attains the age of 21, providing 2.5 Lakh government jobs in five years, procuring paddy at Rs 3100 per quintal, and reducing the price of petrol and diesel.

The party has said that free arrangements will be made for senior citizens keen to visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya for the pran prathistha ceremony on January 22.

The BJP has alleged several scams in the state including that related to the Kaleshwar Dam scam and liquor poultry apart from several cases of paper leak.

It said September 17 will be celebrated every year as Hyderabad Liberation Day to mark its freedom from Nizam’s rule and August 27 will be observed as Razakar Horrors Remembrance Day.

Congress has sought to outdo the BRS in its poll promises and has announced six guarantees.

Under the Mahalakshmi scheme for women, the Congress has promised Rs 2,500 monthly financial assistance, LPG cylinders at Rs 500; and free travel for women in state-run buses.

The party has promised that Rs 15,000 per acre will be paid to farmers and Rs 12,000 will be given to tenant farmers. The party has promised a bonus of Rs 500 per quintal for paddy.

It said that families not owning a house will be provided a site for one and Rs 5 lakh for construction. Families of those killed during the Telangana Movement will be provided 250-square-yard plots.

The party said that students with Vidya Bharosa cards will receive Rs 5 lakh and Telangana International School will be opened in every manda.

The party has promised up to 200 units of free electricity to households, Rs 4,000 monthly pension will be paid to vulnerable sections.

The party will have promised that Rajiv Aarogyasri will provide health insurance up to Rs 10 lakh.

The Congress announced that it would waive crop loans up to Rs 2 lakh and promised a caste survey within six months of forming the government.

The party promised a judicial inquiry into “irregularities and corruption” in the construction of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project

The Congress said it would name a district after former PM PV Narasimha Rao.

Among the BJP’s strong push to get the support of OBCs, the Congress has also made many promises including increasing reservations for the community

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders point out that the state’s per capita income has seen a significant rise in the last 10 years due to efforts of the government and various welfare and development schemes will continue.

The party has promised LPG cylinders at Rs 400 each, below-poverty-line (BPL) families would be enhanced health insurance coverage, social security pension would be increased to Rs 5,000 a month from Rs 2,106 and there will be an increase in disability pension.

The party said under ‘Rythu Bandhu’ scheme, under which farmers get Rs 10,000 per annum per acre, would be enhanced gradually to Rs 16,000 per annum in the next five years.

KCR is contesting from two seats – his original seat Gajwel and Kamareddy. While he is facing BJP leader Etela Rajender in Gajewal, Congress leader Revanth Reddy is taking him on in Kamareddy.

Both Etela and Revanth Reddy are also contesting from two seats.

In the 2014 assembly polls to a united Andhra Pradesh, the then-incumbent Congress got 25.20 per cent votes and BRS (then TRS) got 34 percent in the Telangana area.

Senior leaders of all parties including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda, Congress leaders Mallikurjan Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, TRS’ KCR, KT Rama Rao and K Kavitha and AIMIM Asaduddin Owaisi ran strong campaigns in the state.

Congress accused the BJP and BRS of having a “strategic alliance” with BJP leaders accusing Congress and BRS of dynastic politics.

In 2018, BRS (then Telangana Rashtra Samithi) won 88 of the 119 seats and had 47.4 per cent of the vote share. The Congress came a distant second with just 19 seats.

While the BJP has an ambitious goal of seeing its first government in Telangana, the Congress is hoping to come to power on the basis of the “momentum” of the past few months. But the party has a huge, almost 18 per cent gap to cover in terms of voting percentage of previous assembly election. (ANI)

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Telangana: Rahul Promises 2 Lakh Govt Jobs in One Year

Recently, Rahul Gandhi interacted with youth at Ashok Nagar in Telangana’s Hyderabad on Saturday….reports Asian Lite News

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) government in Telangana led by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and guaranteed to give 2 lakh government jobs in 1 year if the Congress comes to power.

Recently, Rahul Gandhi interacted with youth at Ashok Nagar in Telangana’s Hyderabad on Saturday.

Taking to X on Monday, Rahul Gandhi said “Telangana’s youth are suffering immensely under ‘Dorala’ KCR sarkar, my recent visit to Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad made that crystal clear. Our ‘Job Calendar’ is the first step in easing their pain. We will ensure: 2 lakh Govt Jobs in 1 year, Revamp of TPSC on UPSC lines and ‘Yuva Vikasam– Rs5 lakh assistance.”

Further posing it as another guarantee, Rahul Gandhi said “The future of our youth is secure in the hands of Congress’ Prajala Sarkar – this is my Guarantee!”

Earlier on Saturday, Congress MP took to X after interacting with youths in Hyderabad and said “Today in Ashoknagar, Hyderabad, I met the youth who are preparing for various competitive exams. I was moved by the fact that they had hoped that they would get success if Telangana came, but even 10 years after the state’s arrival, their aspirations have not been fulfilled.”

“Telangana youth did not get justice during KCR’s ten-year rule. Due to a lack of notifications, court cases and paper leaks, 30 lakh unemployed youths have suffered badly. In Telangana, which they fought for, they are in an unfathomable plight,” added the Congress MP,” he added.

Earlier in September this year, the Telangana high court ordered the cancellation of preliminary examinations for recruitment for Group-1 services in the state government held by the Telangana State Public Services Commission (TSPSC) on June 11, following several petitions filed by students who alleged a violation of the guidelines in the conduct of exams.

This was the second time that the same exam had been cancelled. Earlier in March, the TSPSC had cancelled the exam, which was held in October last year, following an alleged paper leak scam.

Meanwhile, a young Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) aspirant allegedly died by suicide in the Ashok Nagar area, which is deemed a student hub, due to the “postponement” of the TSPSC exam notification, which created pandemonium in the state with several opposition leaders throwing brickbats at the ruling KCR government over the cancellation of exams.

The woman, identified as Pravalika and aged around 25 years, allegedly committed suicide in her room in a hostel in Ashok Nagar.

Meanwhile, the state is going to the polls on November 30 and the counting of votes will take place on December 3.

Telangana is set to witness a triangular contest among the ruling TRS, BJP and Congress. (ANI)

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Modi, Shah to Lead Poll Campaign in Telangana

PM Modi’s Hyderabad roadshow on Nov 27; Amit Shah visits on Nov 24-26; JP Nadda, Yogi Adityanath, Rajnath Singh are also heading to Telangana…reports Asian Lite News

Union Minister and Telangana BJP President G Kishan Reddy on Wednesday confirmed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the poll-bound state for the party’s election campaigning.

Speaking to ANI regarding PM Modi’s visit, Kishan Reddy said that the Prime Minister will visit the state on three days, November 25, 26 and 27 adding that the state needs a “double-engine” government.

“PM Modi will participate in a roadshow in Hyderabad on November 27. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be in the state on November 24 and 26. BJP national president JP Nadda, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will also be coming to Telangana,” Reddy said.

The BJP chief claimed that though Congress is eyeing forming a government in Telangana, the people will not “bless” the party.

“After Karnataka, Congress is dreaming of forming the government in Telangana. The people of Telangana will not bless the Congress party. A double-engine government should come to Telangana so that the people of the state receive all benefits,” he said.

He also dared the Congress party to make a person belonging to the Backward Community (BC) as Chief Minister while vowing on the BJP’s behalf to bring a BC person to the CM’s chair if the party is voted to power.

“The Congress party never worked for the people. Does Congress have the guts to make a BC CM? Even the BRS party is disrespecting the BC community. BRS promised to make Dalit CM, what happened? Can you make a Dalit CM this time? KCR is dreaming about his son becoming CM and grandson becoming PM. They don’t have the right to criticise the BJP,” he said.

He added, “There should be a leader from the backward class. There should be a BC Chief Minister. We are here for justice, and we always follow the right path of justice. All BC homes are saying this, first time a national party has made a decision to ensure justice for the BC community. BJP does what they say.”

The ruling Bharat Rasthtra Samithi, Congress and BJP are the main contestants in the November 30 assembly polls in Telangana.

The counting of votes, along with four other poll-bound states, will take place on December 3.

Meanwhile, reacting to AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi allegedly threatening a police officer in Hyderabad, Telangana BJP chief G Kishan Reddy said that after the BJP comes to power in the state, such people will “stay in jail.”

All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President Asaduddin Owaisi’s brother, Akbaruddin Owaisi, was booked on Wednesday for openly threatening a police inspector who was asking him to follow the model code of conduct for the upcoming Telangana assembly polls.

“After the BJP comes to power, we will take action against such people and they will stay in jail,” Telangana BJP chief said on Wednesday.

Earlier, Rohit Raju, DCP South East zone informed that on the complaint of the Santosh Nagar SHO, a case has been registered against (AIMIM leader) Akbaruddin Owaisi.

“The case has been booked under section 353 (obstructing official duties) IPC and other relevant sections,” the police official said.

Reacting to the FIR registered against him, Akbaruddin said, “DCP and police are lying. Firstly, I have video footage of him (a police officer) coming onto the stage. If I give a speech after 10 pm, then police can book me under the law. But obstructing a public meeting and saying that time is up is wrong. Police should not do this.”

“An officer of EC has said that it was a mistake of the police. I have filed a complaint against the police. I demand from EC to probe the matter,” he added.

The AIMIM leader, who was addressing a campaign in Hyderabad’s Lalitabagh, asked the policeman to “leave” the venue, implying that if he made a “signal” to his supporters, the inspector would be forced to “run” from the place.”

“Do you think that after facing knives and bullets, I got weak, still there’s lots of courage in me. Five minutes are left and I’ll address five minutes, no one can stop me. If I give a signal then you’ll have to run, shall we make him run? This is what I’m saying they come like this to weaken us,” Akbaruddin said.

In this regard, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi also defended the remarks of his brother Akbaruddin Owaisi and said that the official should not have intervened as “five minutes” were left for the campaign time to be over for the day.

Akbaruddin is in the fray from the Chandrayangutta constituency. The seat has been a stronghold of the AIMIM, with the party winning it in 2014 and 2018. Telangana will go to polls in a single phase on November 30.

The counting of votes for Telangana, along with those of four other poll-bound states, will take place on December 3. (ANI)

Surjewala Hits Out At BRS Govt

In a scathing takedown of the ruling BRS government in poll-bound Telangana, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala on Wednesday said the former turned one of the most progressive states of the country into the “suicide capital” for the youth during its rule.

Addressing media persons on a visit to the state capital, Hyderabad, on Wednesday, Surjewala said, “The BRS’s nexus with the BJP in Telangana has cost the state nearly 65 lakh jobs. As many as 20,000 teaching posts are lying vacant and the Telangana Public Service Commission has become a den of corruption with 15 question paper leaks, frequent rescheduling of exams and postponements.”

“KCR (Chief K Chandrasekhar Rao) turned the most progressive state of the country, which was carved out as a separate geographical entity under Congress rule, into the suicide capital for the youth,” he added.

Telangana will go to Assembly elections on November 30 and counting of votes will be held on December 3.

The state is set to witness a triangular contest between the ruling TRS, the BJP and the Congress.

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

The Congress came in a distant second with just 19 seats. (ANI)

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Congress Releases Third List of Candidates for Telangana Polls

The party held its central election committee, led by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, today to finalise the names of the candidates….reports Asian Lite News

Congress releases its third list of candidates, comprising 16 names for Telangana Assembly polls

According to the list, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) chief Revanth Reddy is to contest against Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao from Kamareddy. Revanth Reddy will contest from two seats: Kodangal and Kamareddy.

Earlier, Revanth Reddy filed his nomination from Kodangal, where he suffered defeat in 2018. He was later elected to Lok Sabha from Malkajgiri in 2019.

On October 27, Congress released its second list of candidates, comprising 45 names, for the Telangana state assembly polls scheduled to take place next month.

The party has fielded former India cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin from the Jubilee Hills seat, while Madhu Goud Yaskhi has been fielded from Lal Bahadur Nagar.

The party held its central election committee, led by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, today to finalise the names of the candidates.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge chaired the CEC meeting. The party’s prominent leaders, like Sonia Gandhi and Salman Khurshid, along with others, were present at the meeting.

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

The Congress came in a distant second with just 19 seats.

The counting of votes for the Telangana Assembly will be held along with those of four other poll-bound states on December 3.

The Congress has also announced that senior leader and former minister Mohammed Ali Shabbir will contest from Nizamabad Urban. A two-time MLA from Kamareddy, Shabbir had been contesting from Kamareddy for the last eight elections. This time the party has shifted him to Nizamabad Urban to make way for Revanth Reddy to challenge KCR.

With the announcement of third list consisting of 14 names, the Congress has announced candidates for 114 out of 119 seats. It also changed the candidates in two constituencies. (ANI)

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CPI-M Shuns Congress, Goes Solo in Telangana Polls

The party had set Thursday as the deadline for the Congress to accept its demand for Wyra and Miryalaguda seats….reports Asian Lite News

The CPI-M, a constituent of the opposition INDIA bloc, has decided to go solo in the November 30 Telangana Assembly elections after the Congress failed to respond to its demand for two seats, while the CPI has decided to wait for two more days.

Accordingly, the CPI-M on Thursday announced that there will be no alliance with the Congress for the elections, adding that it plans to contest 24 seats.

The party had set Thursday as the deadline for the Congress to accept its demand for Wyra and Miryalaguda seats.

CPI-M state Secretary T. Veerabhadram announced 17 constituencies where the party will field its candidates.

“We will announce the remaining constituencies and the candidates in a day or two,” he said.

The CPI-M will contest seven seats in Khammam district, including Bhadrachalam and Paleru which it had originally demanded.

It will also field candidates in three constituencies in Nalgonda district and two in Suryapet district.

Slamming the Congress over its approach, Veerabhadram alleged that the party has no intention of having an alliance with the CPI-M.

He recalled that the CPI-M had originally sought Paleru and Bhadrachalam constituencies, but the Congress offered Wyra and Miryalaguda. Later, the Congress also refused to leave Wyra and told them that it would give Miryalaguda and another seat in Hyderabad.

The Congress had agreed to leave two seats each for CPI and CPI-M under the seat-sharing agreement. However, they could not reach a consensus as to which seats should be allocated to the Left parties.

Meanwhile, the CPI has decided to wait for two more days for the Congress to announce its final list.

The Congress has so far announced candidates for 100 out of 119 Assembly seats in Telangana.

Earlier, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) had snubbed the Left parties by deciding to go alone.

The CPI and CPI-M had supported the BRS in the Munugode bypoll last year and they were expecting the BRS to offer a few seats to them.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Komatireddy Venkat Reddy has opposed the idea of leaving a couple of seats each for CPI and CPI-M, saying that the Left parties should not insist on seats.

He, however, said that if Congress comes to power, it can offer some nominated posts to the Left parties.

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BRS, Congress War of Words in Poll-Bound Telangana

Telangana Assembly polls are scheduled for November 30, and the counting of the votes on December 3….reports Asian Lite News

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President and Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao on Sunday took a dig at Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar saying that he is promising, on behalf of Congress, 5 hours of electricity to the farmers of a state where 24 hours of electricity is already being provided to them.

“In a state where 24 hours of electricity is being provided to farmers, a neighbouring state leader (DK Shivakumar) comes and says that they (Congress) will give 5 hours of electricity to them. Will you vote for his party even by mistake?” KTR said while addressing a campaign rally at LB Nagar here.

“This needs to be told to every person in LB Nagar that Congress means problems, Congress means darkness, Congress means power cuts, Congress means religious fights, Congress means tears. If Congress comes to power, atrocities will start, and people will have to face tough conditions,” he added.

On Saturday, DK Shivakumar, while speaking to reporters in Telangana’s Vikarabad, took a jibe at the state Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and KTR, saying that they can “rest in the farmhouse” after the election.

“Congress will come to power on December 9 and we will implement all the guarantees. KCR and KTR can take a rest in the farmhouse,” DK Shivakumar said.

When asked about KTR’s allegation that the Congress government in Karnataka could not ensure adequate power supply for farmers in the state, Shivakumar told reporters, “He is a liar.”

Telangana Assembly polls are scheduled for November 30, and the counting of the votes on December 3.

Telangana is set to witness a triangular contest between the BJP, the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi, and the Congress in the upcoming assembly election.

In the previous Assembly election held in 2018, BRS managed to win 88 seats out of 119 and had a dominant vote share of 47.4 per cent. Congress came in a distant second with 19 seats. Its vote share was 28.7 per cent. (ANI)

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