Battle for Telangana: BJP and Congress Aim to Halt KCR’s Hat-Trick in Today’s Elections

Telangana Elections: BJP and Congress Aim to Halt KCR’s Reign

Telangana is heading to the polls today amidst speculations of anti-incumbency and Congress’ hopes of securing a second southern state. The ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is relying on its social welfare programs, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seeks to expand its presence in the south.

Here are 10 key updates on the Telangana elections:

1. The BRS, led by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, is aiming for a third consecutive term with the support of its inclusive social welfare initiatives.

2. As the party credited with the formation of Telangana in 2014, the BRS hopes to capitalize on its loyal base.

3. However, the Congress, boosted by its recent victory in neighboring Karnataka, has shown fighting spirit under its new young leader, Revanth Reddy.

4. The Congress claims to have narrowed the gap with the BRS and is banking on the BJP’s corruption allegations against Chief Minister KCR.

5. The BJP has accused the BRS and Congress of being secretly aligned, following the Congress’ claims. The party exploited the perception created after KCR’s daughter, K Kavitha, was not arrested in the Delhi liquor scam despite her name being implicated.

6. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that KCR approached him for a spot in the NDA has further benefited the Congress.

7. The BJP’s last-minute decision to replace its state chief Bandi Sanjay with Kishan Reddy has raised eyebrows. Desperate for a win in Telangana after losing Karnataka, the BJP has formed an alliance with actor-politician Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena party.

8. Chief Minister KCR is facing tough battles on two fronts – against Congress’ Revanth Reddy in Kamareddy and the BJP’s Etala Rajender in his home constituency Gajwel.

9. Other closely watched contests include M Krishna Rao (BRS) versus M Prem Kumar (Jana Sena Party) in Kukatpally, and the triangular battle in Malkajgiri involving Mynampally Hanumath Rao (recently switched from BRS to Congress), BJP’s N Ramachander, and BRS’ M Rajashekhar Reddy.

10. Telangana is the final state to vote in this round of elections, which is seen as a semi-final before next year’s Lok Sabha polls. Vote counting for all five states will take place on Sunday.