Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) and the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) have taken an early stride in the upcoming Telangana assembly elections by unveiling their first list of candidates for 115 out of 119 constituencies. The move comes ahead of the anticipated polls later this year, with KCR aiming for a third consecutive term as the state’s leader.
Despite the early announcement, the list revealed only seven changes from the previous assembly, with most sitting MLAs retained. KCR, who currently represents the Gajwel constituency in the state assembly, will also contest from Kamareddy this time, in a strategic bid to secure an advantageous position.
Speaking on the occasion, KCR expressed confidence in securing a substantial victory, stating, “We are confident of winning 95 to 105 seats.” The alliance with Hyderabad Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM will also persist, according to KCR, further cementing the BRS’s position.
In the 2018 state elections, KCR had managed to take opponents by surprise by advancing the polls. This time, he seems to be banking on his government’s social welfare initiatives for electoral support. The BRS has criticized the opposition Congress party, suggesting that if they were to come to power, they might revoke the scheme providing free power to farmers.
The Congress, the main opposition in the state, has just initiated its candidate selection process, inviting applications from August 18 to 25. The 2018 elections saw the formation of the ‘Maha Kootami’ (Grand Alliance), where four arch-rival parties — Congress, Telangana Jana Samithi, Telugu Desam Party, and CPI — united against the incumbent Telangana Rashtra Samithi (now BRS). However, the alliance fell short of securing a majority.
In the previous election, KCR had called for early polls by resigning nine months before his term completion. Since no single party held a majority, the governor dissolved the house and general elections were scheduled. In the end, the BRS won 88 seats, Congress secured 19, AIMIM got 7, TDP claimed 2, and BJP clinched one seat.
The upcoming Telangana assembly elections are expected to be a pivotal moment for the state’s political landscape, with both the ruling BRS and the opposition Congress party gearing up for an intense battle.
Sources By Agencies
