Lok Sabha elections in Telangana: It’s curtains for campaigning, over to voters

HYDERABAD: A relatively low-profile campaign by political parties for Lok Sabha polls in Telangana ended on Tuesday. Around three crore Telangana voters will decide the fate of 443 candidates contesting 17 seats on April 11.
While BJP, TRS and Congress are the only parties contesting all the seats, a keen fight is seen in seven constituencies. While Secunderabad and Mahbubnagar is a fight between TRS and BJP, in five other constituencies — Bhongir, Khammam, Mahabubabad, Malkajgiri and Chevella — TRS and Congress are locked in a keen battle.While Congress campaign relied on being anti-Narendra Modi and anti-KCR, TRS stuck to the argument that if it wins all 16 MP seats, Telangana will develop faster, and KCR will play a key role in formation of the government at the Centre.
Speaking about the arrangements for the polls, Telangana chief electoral officer Rajat Kumar told TOI: “We have received all polling material, and poll officials are in place. The election staff will camp overnight at polling booths on April 10 so that polling can begin early morning on April 11. All preparations are done. We have asked all returning officers to stop the campaign by Tuesday evening. Police officers have been told to maintain strict vigil for peaceful conduct of Lok Sabha polls.”
YSR Congress and Telugu Desam Party, which are locked in a neck-and-neck battle in Andhra Pradesh, are not contesting in Telangana.
Political analyst professor K Nageswar told TOI, “There is a contest between Congress and TRS in half a dozen seats but how close is the big question.”