PM Modi Urges Record Voter Turnout as Telangana Elections Begin

In the midst of elections for the 119-member state Assembly in Telangana, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a fervent appeal to the citizens on Thursday to participate in the democratic process and cast their votes in record numbers. Voting commenced at 7 am across various polling booths in the state, marking a crucial moment in the electoral landscape.

Addressing the nation through X, Prime Minister Modi urged the people of Telangana to strengthen the ‘festival of democracy’ by actively participating in the voting process. “I call upon my sisters and brothers of Telangana to vote in record numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy. I particularly urge young and first-time voters to exercise their franchise,” he stated.

The run-up to the polls witnessed intensive campaigning by top national leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi, and the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao. Telangana is witnessing a triangular contest among the BJP, Congress, and BRS, with the latter fielding candidates in all 119 seats.

A total of 2,290 candidates from 109 national and regional parties, including 221 women and one transgender candidate, are in the fray. The destiny of these candidates will be decided by a total of 3.17 crore voters, with 103 legislators re-contesting, most of them from the ruling BRS.

Voters are exercising their franchise at 35,655 polling stations set up across the state. Notably, for the first time in Telangana, a home voting facility has been provided to persons with disabilities and voters above 80 years of age. Approximately 27,600 voters have enlisted to avail themselves of this service, with an additional 1,000 voters opting for the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System.

Key contenders in the election include Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, his minister-son K T Rama Rao, state Congress President A Revanth Reddy, and BJP Lok Sabha members Bandi Sanjay Kumar and D Arvind. If K Chandrashekar Rao secures another term in office, it will mark the first occasion when a Chief Minister from a Southern state attains a third straight term.

KCR is contesting from two seats – his original seat Gajwel and Kamareddy. In Gajwel, he faces BJP leader Etela Rajender, while Congress state unit chief Revanth Reddy is challenging him in Kamareddy. As the people of Telangana cast their votes, the results of this high-stakes election are awaited, which will significantly shape the political landscape of the state.