CHENNAI: After days of high-decibel campaigning by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS), and the Congress, the voting began in 119 constituencies in Telangana on Saturday.
The ruling BRS is seeking a third term of governance on the basis of the party's performance and promises over the past 10 years. The Congress is talking of support in its favour to form its first government in the state and the BJP is also promising to end "misrule and corruption" of the Bharat Rasthra Samithi.
All preparations for voting in the districts have been completed.
A total of 3.17 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to elect legislators for a 119-member Assembly.
A total of 2,290 candidates from 109 parties including the national and regional parties are in the fray.
Voting begins for the Telangana elections.
BRS leader K Kavitha urges people to vote
"People should come out of their homes and vote. Hyderabad is known for not voting very well. So, we need to increase the voting percentage. Today is the day to strengthen our democracy," says BRS leader K Kavitha.
Oscar-winning music composer, Padma Shri MM Keeravani casts his vote. "Everyone should utilise their voting power. This is not a holiday," he says.
Congress leader Mohammad Azharuddin leaves from his residence to cast his vote at a polling booth in Erramanzil area of Hyderabad.
"I would like to tell the youth, women, and senior citizens of the State that they must vote for those who brought development," says Telangana Minister Chamakura Malla Reddy after casting his vote.
Telangana BJP chief G Kishan Reddy urges people to exercise their right to vote
"People should exercise their right to vote. I appeal to the public to fulfil their responsibility. I want to tell the public that today is the chance to choose your government. People should look at the candidate or party, not be lured by liquor and other things. We don't need MLAs from other parties. We will form the government on our own in the State. We will get the majority in Telangana," Union Minister and Telangana BJP chief G Kishan Reddy says.
"All of my brothers and sisters of Nizamabad constituency, please step out and participate in voting in maximum numbers and further strengthen our democracy," says BJP MP Arvind Dharmapuri.
"I am going to cast my vote now. For 10 years, under the KCR government, the farmers of the State suffered. With this election, my greatest expectation from the first-time voters is that they will take the future of Telangana ahead. Congress will make all efforts to fulfill people's expectations. The party will form the government with a 2/3rd majority. Telangana experienced a lot of changes after the Bharat Jodo Yatra. BRS-BJP-AIMIM are trying to defeat Congress together," says Revanth Reddy.
Actor Srikanth casts his vote in the Jubilee Hills area of Hyderabad, and says, "Please do cast your vote."
K Venkata Ramana Reddy, the BJP candidate against Telangana CM and K Chandrashekhar Rao, says, "I am only looking at them (CM KCR and Revanth Reddy) as TRS and Congress candidates only. They are big people but I am not going to back off fearing them. A candidate is a candidate in my eyes... KCR was nothing 40 years ago, he became a CM over the journey of years... They became big leaders because their time was right. They should not be considered as geniuses. I am 101% sure I will win."
Actor Naga Chaitanya arrives to cast his vote at the polling booth at the Govt Working Women's Hostel in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.
On Telangana Elections, Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM and BJP leader Brajesh Pathak says, "Voting is taking place in Telangana today. The manner in which people across communities are coming to the polling booths for BJP, we can say that the party is ready to bloom 'lotus' in Telangana."
"As far as I know, the money had come from the neighbouring State. It has been seized. This is a big challenge for all of us," says AIMIM Asaduddin Owaisi on high-value seizure by EC during Telangana elections.
Urban voters not turning up in large numbers, urge them to vote: KTR
'Voting is a fundamental right': BJP MP Dr K Laxman casts his vote in Musheerabad.
Former PM Narasimha Rao's daughter Surabhi Vani Devi casts her vote in Hyderabad.
Telangana records 20.64% voter turnout till 11am
Telangana minister Gangula Kamalakar casts his vote in Karimnagar for Telangana Assembly Elections 2023.
"I think people should think and vote. Wrong person has been sitting on the CM's chair for 10 years and the people are fed up. I think there will be a change," says actor and Congress leader Vijayashanthi after casting her vote in Hyderabad.
CM and BRS chief K. Chandrashekar Rao and his wife Shobha Rao arrive at the polling station in Chintamadaka, Siddipet to cast their votes.
Telangana CM KC Rao shows indelible ink mark on his finger after casting vote in Chintamadaka, Siddipet
Telangana Assembly elections: Voter turnout recorded over 20%
Telangana recorded a voter turnout of 20.64 per cent till 11 am in the assembly polls that is currently underway for 119 seats, according to the Election Commission of India.
Actor Manoj Manchu casts his vote in Hyderabad.
"It is our right and responsibility to vote. I request people to come out and vote as the voter turnout is already lesS," he says.
Film director Sekhar Kammula urges everyone to exercise their voting rights.
Actor and Mimicry Artist Siva Reddy cast his vote in Manikonda.
"More than expectation, it's about hope. It's not only about what you want," says actor Ram Pothineni after casting his vote at a polling booth in Hyderabad.
"Deepfakes are becoming a problem and it was the BJP that used it for the first time in politics. Now, deepfakes are being used cutting across political lines," says Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on the usage of deepfakes in Telangana poll campaigning.
Telangana BSP president RS Praveen casts vote in Adilabad.
State BJP president and MP G Kishan Reddy writes to the Election Commission of India and the Chief Electoral Officer of the state alleging "electoral malpractices by BRS candidates and their workers".
36.68% voter turnout recorded in Telangana till 1 pm.
"Telangana people are also saying that Congress will sweep the election. We will win all the five states. That is what the general impression is," says Congress MP KC Venugopal.
After casting his vote, Vijay Deverakonda says, "I heard that the polling percentage is a little low. I request all the young boys and girls who have their voting ID and election card to come and vote. Come with your families and vote, you should do it."
51.89% voter turnout recorded in Telangana till 3 pm.
Telangana BJP MLA Raja Singh casts his vote in Goshamahal constituency.
Telangana BJP president and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy says "Telangana Assembly polls have completed by today. Everything went perfectly, without any failure. But BRS violated the MCC rules across the state. They have distributed money and liquor in the presence of police. The Election Commission should have been strict in monitoring this"
63.94% voter turnout recorded in Telangana till 5 pm
Telangana BJP president and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy says "We expect good results in the polls. I condemn the incident that took place in Nagarjuna Sagar...The Telangana government has rejected the Union government's request to bring the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam under the KRMD. It is seen as a political stunt by the Telangana government. I will be writing a letter to the Union government expressing my concerns on this issue. It is essential that we address this matter through proper channels rather than resorting to extreme measures..."