Telangana Assembly Elections 2023: Telangana headed to the polls on Thursday for elections to its 119-member state assembly, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging voters to turn out "in record numbers" to strengthen democracy.
Taking it to X, PM Modi asked people especially first-time voters to exercise their democratic rights and participate enthusiastically in the "festival of democracy."
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 30, 2023
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 said.
The build-up saw top national figures including Rahul Gandhi campaign for their parties besides BRS founder K Chandrasekhar Rao who is seeking a third straight term as CM if his outfit emerges victorious once again.
A total of 2,290 candidates fielded by leading regional and national camps are looking to secure seats this term. The pool includes 221 women contestants and one transgender nominee.
Around 103 sitting legislators are also trying to retain their place in the state assembly. Key candidates include KCR, his son KT Rama Rao who is the IT Minister, state Congress chief Revanth Reddy and BJP parliamentarians Bandi Sanjay Kumar and Soyam Bapu Rao.
The CM is contesting from his turf Gajwel besides the newer seat Kamareddy where state Congress head Reddy has mounted a challenge.
If KCR wins again, he will become the first CM from a southern state to score three continuous election triumphs.
For the first time, Octogenarians and disabled individuals could avail of home voting assistance during polls. Separately, some overseas citizens also enrolled as electronically transmitted postal voters.
#WATCH | Telangana Elections | A senior citizen being helped to arrive at a polling booth, in a wheelchair, in Jubilee Hills.
— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2023
The state is voting for the Assembly elections today. pic.twitter.com/KsrFJLjmCb
Most surveys predict KCR retains an edge courtesy of welfare schemes and regional ownership. But the BJP hopes Modi's enduring charisma closes gaps since the last elections to position it as the key alternative government contender this cycle.
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