Telangana Election Results updates: 'Nation deserves non-BJP and non-Congress govt in 2019', says Asaduddin Owaisi

‘Opportunistic policies rejected’ says AIMIM chief

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said the people of Telangana and Hyderabad have rejected opportunistic and communal policies of both Congress and BJP. “Rahul Gandhi’s lies describing AIMIM as ‘C Team’ have been rejected. Rahul should learn humility. I hope Rahul would introspect. We accomplished in Telangana what the Congress and BJP could not,” Owaisi said. “Open your eyes Rahul. This nation requires KCR to play a very important role at the national level and he will play a very crucial role in bringing a non-BJP, and non-Congress government in 2019.”

KCR addresses media

Telangana caretaker chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao addressed the media in Hyderabad. “I will actively participate in national politics.  I spoke to other political parties, we are going to play a crucial role in national politics,"    the TRS president said.

TRS President and Telangana caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao in Hyderabad: I will actively participate in national politics. pic.twitter.com/bxEkSCa6XD

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018

Visuals: 4 pm numbers for Telangana Assembly polls

Visuals: KTR meets TRS workers at party office in Hyderabad.

Telangana caretaker Minister KT Rama Rao can be seen meeting Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) workers at the party office in Hyderabad. The TRS is leading on 79 seats as per official ECI trends.

Telangana caretaker Minister KT Rama Rao meets Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) workers at party office in Hyderabad. TRS is leading on 79 seats as per official ECI trends. #AssemblyElections2018Results pic.twitter.com/KqxqmW6Kdm

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018

Visuals: KCR arrives at party headquarters in Hyderabad 

Telangana: K Chandrsekhar Rao arrives at party headquarters in Hyderabad, he won from Gajwel constituency by over 50,000 votes. TRS is leading on 77 seats in the state. #AssemblyElectionResults2018 pic.twitter.com/Gry1skemYj

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018

AIMIM wins 2 seats, leads in 4 in Hyderabad

AIMIM bagged two seats while leading in four others in the city Tuesday as per the latest trends in the counting of votes for the Telangana assembly elections.

AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi won from Chandrayangutta constituency for the fifth time in a row, defeating his nearest BJP rival Syed Shehjadi by a margin of over 80,000 votes.

Mohammed Moazam Khan was declared elected from Bahadurpura constituency here by 82,518 votes against TRS candidate, while four other party candidates were also leading. Khan, who made a hat-Trick, secured 96,993 votes while Inayath Ali Baqri of TRS managed to get 14,475 votes.

In the 2014 election, AIMIM had bagged seven seats — Malakpet, Nampally, Karwan, Charminar, Chandrayangutta, Yakutpura, and Bahadurpura.

– PTI

TRS chief KCR to speak to media at 4.30 pm in Hyderabad’s Telangana Bhavan

According to a report from CNN News18 , Telangana’s caretaker chief minister and TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao will address the media at 4.30 pm at Hyderabad’s Telangana Bhavan. Rao’s government will likely serve another term and form the Telangana government.

TDP respects the mandate of people of Telangana: Chandrababu Naidu

Shortly after Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu tweeted to congratulate K Chandrasekhar Rao on his win in the Telangana polls, news agency ANI quoted him as saying that the TDP understands the mandate of the people of the state.

Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu: TDP respects the mandate of people of Telangana. Congratulations to Shri K. Chandrasekhar Rao. Also, best wishes to all the newly elected public representatives of 5 states. #AssemblyElections2018 https://t.co/6F8srbEavO

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018

It’s a victory of Telangana’s self-respect: KCR’s nephew T Harish Rao

Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leader T Harish Rao on Tuesday described the party’s landslide victory as the victory of Telangana’s self-respect, IANS reported. Harish won the Siddipet seat by over 1.20 lakh votes.

Harish Rao, who is the nephew of TRS President K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR), told reporters that the poll results showed people of Telangana have won. “It’s people’s victory. They have once again upheld the Telangana pride. KCR has proved correct that people will win,” said Harish, who retained his Siddipet seat with a record margin.

Akbaruddin Owaisi won by over 80,000 votes: Reports

AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi won from Chandrayan Gutta constituency in Telangana for the fifth time in a row. He defeated his nearest rival, Syed Shahezadi from the BJP, by a margin of over 80,000 votes, CNN News18  reported.

Chandrababu Naidu congratulates KCR on electoral victory

Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu took to Twitter to congratulate TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao on his win in the Telangana Assembly polls. Naidu’s comment comes amid a longstanding war of words between the two chief ministers.

Congratulating KCR garu for winning the Assembly elections in Telangana.

— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) December 11, 2018

TRS wins in Sanath Nagar by 30,217 votes

According to news agency ANI , Telangana caretaker minister and TRS candidate Talasani Srinivas Yadav wins from Sanath Nagar constituency by 30,217 votes.

Independent candidates claim EVMs tampered with, calls election ’total fraud’

Independent candidates from Secunderabad constituency are raising the issue of EVM tampering. “I expected I would get a minimum 20,000 votes as I have run a good campaign. But I am getting only five votes in each round. In some booths, people I know personally assured me of 100-150 votes, but during counting, I got zero.

I have done rigorous campaigning for two months and my team has assured me of victory; many voters even texted me they have voted for me. This shows the EVMs were 100 percent tampered with according to some fixed formulae," one of the independent candidates said.

“They have made fools of us. Irrespective of who you vote for, TRS is getting the majority. Voting has not been conducted systematically. The election is a total fraud and we condemn it. We demand a re-election with ballot papers which is the best system,” he added.

CPI says TRS used ‘huge distribution of money and liquor’ to influence voters

The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Tuesday alleged that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) resorted to “huge distribution of money and liquor” to influence voters, and described the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led party’s performance in the Assembly polls as a “technical victory and not a moral one”.

“Huge distribution of money, particularly on the last day (before the election)…purchasing votes..this must have resulted in this victory for TRS,” CPI General Secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy alleged.

“Most important: this election was not free and fair. Distribution of money and liquor… I don’t think it’s a moral victory for him (Rao), it’s only a technical victory for TRS,” Reddy said.

Click here to read the full story.

Visuals: Congress writes to Telangana CEO requesting VVPAT counting 

After Telangana Congress chief Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that EVMs were manipulated in Telangana, the party sent a formal letter to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), requesting counting of VVPAT papers in all Assembly segments of the state.

Letter to the Chief Electoral Officer requesting counting of VVPAT papers in all Assembly segments of the state. pic.twitter.com/teS0emOaiI

— Telangana Congress (@INCTelangana) December 11, 2018

Korukanti Chander defeats TSRTC chairman Somarapu Satyanarayana in Ramagundam

Korukanti Chander, a TRS rebel candidate who fought under the All India Forward Bloc banner from Ramagundam, has defeated TSRTC Chairman Somarapu Satyanarayana, won TRS candidate.

Satyanarayana had said in June this year that he was disenchanted with TRS and intended to quit politics.

Input by Vikram Bawa/101Reporters

Congress-led alliance should introspect on failure in state polls: TDP

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) said on Tuesday that the Congresss-led alliance, of which it is a part, needs to analyse and introspect on the grouping’s “failure” in the Telangana Assembly elections.

“We have to analyse the factors that contributed to the success of TRS and failure of our alliance,” said Ravula Chandrasekhar Reddy, senior TDP leader, which is led by Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu. “We were expecting to get more seats. The results are not to our expectations,” Reddy told PTI.

The alliance which also comprised the Telangana Jana Samithi and the Communist Party of India, did not fare well, and “we have to analyse and introspect where it went wrong, and we have to work together”, he said.

“We have to respect people’s verdict”, Reddy said, adding the alliance would now strive hard to see to it that the TRS government implements the “tall promises” made by the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led party.

– PTI

Visuals: TRS youth leaders and Telangana Joint Action Committee members celebrate election results

Youth leaders of the TRS and the Telangana Joint Action Committee celebrated the TRS’ likely win in the Telangana Assembly polls at Osmania University in Hyderabad.

Input by Sursingh Rajpurohit/101Reporters

Visuals: TRS youth leaders and Telangana Joint Action Committee members celebrate election results

Youth leaders of the TRS and the Telangana Joint Action Committee celebrated the TRS’ likely win in the Telangana Assembly polls at Osmania University in Hyderabad.

Input by Sursingh Rajpurohit/101Reporters

TRS minister Jupally Krishna Rao loses seat to Congress in Kollapur

Jupally Krishna Rao, the Panchayat Raj minister in TRS government, lost his seat in Kollapur to Congress’ Harsha Vardhan Reddy.

Rao and his son have been under the CBI scanner since April, amid allegations that they used fraudulent documents through their real estate development company to obtain and default on 89 crores worth of bank loans.

Input by Sursingh Rajpurohit/101Reporters

KCR wins in Gajwel by over 50,000 votes

TRS President and Telangana’s caretaker chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao won the state polls from Gajwel constituency by 51,514 votes.

RECAP: A look at key faces contesting the polls

All eyes in Telangana will be on K Chandrashekar Rao, KT Rama Rao and T Harish Rao, as exit polls and early counting trends predict a TRS win in the state. Other key faces contesting the polls include the BJP’s K Laxman, T Raja Singh, A Revanth Reddy.

Click here for more information on the key candidates in the fray for the Telangana Assembly polls.

KTR leads by 73,000 votes in Sirsilla constituency

According to a tweet from the TRS, party leader and son of care taker chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, KT Rama Rao, is in the lead in Sirsilla by 73,000 votes.

సిరిసిల్లలో 73 వేల ఓట్ల ఆధిక్యంలో మంత్రి @KTRTRS
Minister KTR leads by 73,000 votes in Sircilla constituency.#TelanganaElections2018 #TelanganaWithKCR

— BRS Party (@BRSparty) December 11, 2018

TRS rejects Congress’ claim of manipulated EVMs, says people have given victory to KCR

TRS leader K Kavitha rejected the Congress’ claim that EVMs were manipulated during polling, and said that the losing party always says the EVMs have been tampered with.

“This is absolutely false. Even the CEC in a press meeting on Monday said that it is not possible to tamper EVMs. People have given victory to TRS, what Congress is claiming is false,” she said.

K Kavitha, TRS MP: The losing party always says the EVMs have been tampered with, this is absolutely false. Even the CEC in a press meeting yesterday said that it is not possible to tamper EVMs. People have given victory to TRS, what Congress is claiming is false. pic.twitter.com/tKsvrVdZ0u

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018

TRS wins in Alampur by 44,508 vote margin

TRS candidate VM Abraham won from Alampur constituency, with a margin of 44,508 votes.

Input by Sursingh Rajpurohit/101Reporters

TRS to win against ’evil Kutami’, says Talasani Srinivas Yadav

Launching an attack on the Mahakutami alliance between the Congress and other Opposition parties, Talasani Srinivas Yadav, who served as cinematography minister in the previous TRS government, said: “the people of Telangana have blessed KCR and have showered their love in the form of votes. This will go down in history as a super victory against the evil Kutami.”

“Strong leaders like Indira Gandhi had lost their seat when went for early polls but KCR’s formula has not gone wrong. People have voted for development and clearly rejected the Kutami.” he said.

Visuals: TRS leading in 87 seats, Congress in 22, AIMIM in five, BJP in two

According to  data from the Election Commission of India (ECI) , the TRS is in the lead in 87 seats, Congress in 22, AIMIM in five, and the BJP in only one seat. The TRS was previously leading in 90 seats.

Visuals: Congress claims EVMs in Telangana were manipulated during polling

The Congress submitted a complaint to Telangana Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Rajat Kumar raising suspicions that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were manipulated in the state during polling on 7 December. 

Hyderabad: Congress delegation submits a complaint to Telangana Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Rajat Kumar raising suspicions that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have been manipulated in the state. #AssemblyElections2018 pic.twitter.com/XTCL0Dcmnb

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018

Counting delayed at Karimnagar’s SRR Government College due to ’technical problems’

Counting has halted at a centre at SRR Government College in Karimnagar because of technical problems. This centre is counting votes for four constituencies — Choppadandi, Manakondur, Huzurbad and Karimnagar.

Input from Vikram Bava/101Reporters

KTR thanks state for ‘having faith’ in TRS

As trends have shown the TRS to be in the lead, party leader KT Rama Rao (KTR), who is also the son of Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, on Tuesday, thanked the state for “keeping the faith in KCR Garu and giving us (TRS) another opportunity to serve.”

Grateful, indebted & Humbled 🙏🙏

Thanks Telangana for keeping the faith in KCR Garu & giving us another opportunity to serve you 😊 pic.twitter.com/nSwnaLz8z2

— KTR (@KTRBRS) December 11, 2018

Visuals: TRS supporters take out motor rally celebrating party’s clean sweep in Telangana’s first polls

The TRS took out rallies across Hyderabad, defying police orders that forbid victory processions. 

Input by Sursingh Rajpurohit/101Reporters

Mahakutami will create new India, says Kerala Alappuzha MP KC Venugopal

Emphasizing the Mahakutami in a Facebook post, Kerala Alappuzha MP KC Venugopal shared a photo of leaders of the united Opposition, and said that “this unity will create a new India.”

Harish Rao wins in Siddipet, becomes nation’s youngest politician to be elected MLA six times

The TRS’ Harish Rao set new records with his sweeping win. He has served as an MLA six times in 14 years, and is also the youngest politician in the country to be elected as an MLA as many times. His lead in Siddipet has crossed one lakh and is still counting, which is more than 80 percent of the polled votes.

Input from Mahesh Bacham/101Reporters

Rajnath Singh says Mahagathbandhan failed in Telangana

ANI quoted Home Minister Rajnath Singh as saying: “Nothing is yet clear from the trends. Congratulations to the MLA candidates and the political parties that are winning. But the Mahagathbandhan has failed terribly in Telangana.”

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on #AssemblyElections2018: Nothing is yet clear from the trends. Congratulations to the MLA candidates and the political parties that are winning. But Mahagathbandhan has failed terribly in Telangana pic.twitter.com/ttONAvgGeq

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018

TRS wins in Parkal, Siddipet and Jukkal constituencies

TRS candidate Challa Dharma Reddy won against Congress candidate Konda Surekha in Parkal, and Harish Rao has won from Siddipet. Hanumanth Shinde has also won from Jukkal constituency.

Input by Mahesh Bacham/101Reporters

Visuals: Tally shows TRS leading in 89 seats, Congress in 21

#ElectionsWithNews18 | Election Results 2018 LIVE: Telangana Tally – TRS: 89, Congress: 21, Others: 09. | #BattleForTelangana #BattleForTheStates

LIVE UDPATES: https://t.co/8NifFH3o4n pic.twitter.com/f37FBqeHEk

— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 11, 2018

RECAP: Key poll issues

While some issues like farmers’ grievances and unemployment are socially relevant and directly affect the lives of people, others like politics over minority vote banks and Telangana’s pride are more sentimental issues that politicians have stirred up for votes.

Click here to read in detail about the issues that continue to plague Telangana.

Visuals: TRS leading in 90 constituencies, Congress in 16, AIMIM in five, BJP in one

According to data from the Election Commission of India (ECI) , the TRS is in the lead in 90 constituencies, Congress in 16, AIMIM in five, and the BJP in only one seat. 

Exit polls have predicted an easy win for the TRS.

TRS’ Gangula Kamalakar leading in Karimnagar by 26,086 votes

After 7 rounds of counting in Karimnagar, the sitting TRS MLA Gangula Kamalakar is in the lead with 26,086 votes. Congress is trailing with 14,992 votes and the BJP has 21,109 votes.

Input by Vikram Bava/101Reporters

Visuals: TRS supporters celebrate party’s lead at Hyderabad headquarters

Celebrations at TRS party office in Hyderabad. Slogans of Jai Telangana among the crowd. Most of them say the outcome was expected. Also caretaker CM KCR is expected to hold a press meet. Time yet to be known. #TelanaganaElections2018 @trspartyonline #Telangana pic.twitter.com/QnklhzKZia

— Rishika Sadam (@RishikaSadam) December 11, 2018

TPCC blames ‘distorted trends’ on EVM manipulation, demand counting of VVPAT trails

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Uttam Kumar Reddy said: “Going by the distorted trends in the counting of EVM machines, there is a strong suspicion that EVM machines have been manipulated. We demand that 100 percent counting of VVPAT paper trails must be taken up in all constituencies. All Congress candidates should submit letters to their returning officers demanding the counting of VVPAT paper trails.”

TRS’ Krishnamohan Reddy leading by 9,000 votes in Gadwal

గద్వాలలో 9 వేల పైచిలుకు ఓట్లతో టీఆర్ఎస్ పార్టీ అభ్యర్థి బండ్ల కృష్ణమోహన్ రెడ్డి ముందంజ.#TelanganaElections2018 #TelanganaWithKCR

— BRS Party (@BRSparty) December 11, 2018

Kodangal: Congress trailing by 7,400 votes

After the 7th round of counting came to a close, the TRS’ lead reached 7,400 votes against Revanth Reddy in Kodangal. This is expected to be a big blow for the Opposition, as Reddy was a vocal critic of the TRS, and is considered unbeatable in his constituency.

Input by Mahesh Bacham/101Reporters

TRS’ G Sayanna wins in Hyderabad’s Cantonment constituency

Sayanna won by over 12,000 votes.

Input by Mahesh Bacham/101Reporters

KTR leading by 39,000 votes in Sirsilla, KCR leading by 9,212 votes in Gajwel

TRS leader and minister KT Rama Rao (KTR) is leading by 39,000 votes in Sirsilla. His father K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) is leading in Gajwel, with the nearest rival trailing by 9,212 votes.

TRS leads in Goshamahal, BJP’s Raja Singh trailing

Fortunes have turned for the worse for BJP MLA Raja Singh in Goshamahal, with TRS candidate Prem Singh Rathore pulling into the lead.

Meanwhile, state Congress chief Uttam Kumar Reddy is back in the lead in Huzurnagar after briefing trailing.

Visuals: TRS members celebrate outside party office in Hyderabad

Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) supporters and members can be seen celebrating the party’s lead in the ongoing counting for the state polls. 

Telangana: TRS members celebrate outside party office in Hyderabad as the party leads in trends. #AssemblyElections2018 pic.twitter.com/dJIxlJF3Tf

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018

Congress’ V Hanumanth Rao blames EVM snags for Prajakutami’s loss

Speaking to 101Reporters from the Congress offices in Hyderabad, party leader and Rajya Sabha member V Hanumanth Rao categorically blamed Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for the Prajakutami’s loss in Telangana.

“We campaigned all over the state and everywhere there has been a good response for the Kutami. But the results… It’s because of EVM management. In this age of cybercrime, it is possible to trick these machines,” he said, adding that “KCR, even before he was an MLA, was adept at manipulation.”

Input by Sursingh Rajpurohit/101Reporters

RECAP: TRS govt’s failure to fulfil 2014 promises may impact results

Despite exit polls predicting a win for the TRS, the party’s failure to fulfil some of its 2014 poll promises may impact the party’s electoral success. K Chandrasekhar Rao in 2014 had promised to transform Telangana into Bangaru Telangana (golden Telangana), the most farmer-friendly state in India. 

Another major promise that remained unfulfilled was the issue of employment. While KCR had promised to create 1,00,000 jobs, according to a report titled ‘Unemployment in India – A statistical profile’ prepared by the Bombay Stock Exchange and Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, Telangana had the third-highest level of unemployment among graduates in the country.

Click here to read more about the TRS’ poll promises in 2014.

TRS’ Gangula Kamalakar leading in Karimnagar, BJP’s K Laxman trailing in Musheerabad

The sitting TRS MLA from Karimnagar, Gangula Kamalakar, is leading by 1022 votes after the third round of counting. Meanwhile, former Congress minister Sudarshan Reddy is in leading from Bodhan constituency, and BJP state unit chief K Laxman is trailing in Musheerabad.

BJP candidates leading in AIMIM strongholds of Charminar, Yakubpura

BJP candidates are leading from AIMIM-stronghold constituencies of Charminar and Yakubpura in Hyderabad.

Input from Maheshwara Reddy/101Reporters

TJS, CPI candidates trailing in all Assembly segments

Of Congress’ alliance partners in the state, Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) candidates have failed to obtain a lead in any of the eight assembly segments they are contesting from. Communist Party of India (CPI) candidates, who are contesting from three constituencies, have also failed to get any leads.

Input by Maheshwara Reddy/101Reporters

Konda Surekha trailing behind TRS’ Challa Dharma Reddy in Parkal

Serial defector and current Congress candidate from Parkal, Konda Surekha, is trailing against incumbent TRS MLA Challa Dharma Reddy.

She had won this seat in 2009 as a Congress candidate. She later joined the TRS and defected back to Congress a few weeks before Assembly elections. Her candidature was only announced in the last list.

Input by Maheshwara Reddy/101Reporters

Visuals: Breakdown of tally

With the TRS in the lead, Congress is leading in 16 seats; BJP in four, AIMIM in five, and Others in three.

#ElectionsWithNews18 | Election Results 2018 LIVE: Akbaruddin Owaisi wins from Chandrayangutta in Telangana. Telangana Tally – TRS: 91; Congress: 16; BJP: 04, AIMIM: 05, Others: 03 | #BattleForTelangana

LIVE: https://t.co/8NifFH3o4n pic.twitter.com/3O3Zig5RGA

— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 11, 2018

TRS wins in Jagtial

TRS has won its first seat in Jagtial, with Sanjay Reddy winning against Congress leader Jeevan Reddy.

BJP stll hopeful of winning

ANI quoted Home Minister Rajnath Singh as saying: “These are early trends. We hope to perform well.”

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on #AssemblyElections2018 results: These are early trends. We hope to perform well. (File pic) pic.twitter.com/H4jel7L8wg

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018

AIMIM wins first seat with Akbaruddin Owaisi bagging Chandrayan Gutta

The AIMIM has won its first seat, with party chief Akbaruddin Owaisi bagging the seat in Chandrayan Gutta. He has been MLA from there since 1999, and was pitted against Congress candidate Esa Bin Obaid Misri, a bodybuilder, and BJP’s Shahezadi, a Yuva Morcha leader.

Input from Sursingh Rajpurohit/101Reporters

State BJP chief G Kishan Reddy leading in Amberpet, Raja Singh leading in Goshamahal

BJP candidates in the lead are firebrand Hindutva leader Raja Singh from Goshamahal, who wanted to rename Hyderabad to Bhagyanagar, and state party president G Kishan Reddy from Amberpet.

Akbaruddin Owaisi wins from Chandrayan Gutta constituency

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Akbaruddin Owaisi won in the Telangana polls from the Chandrayan Gutta constituency, news agency ANI reported.

Hyderabad: AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi wins from Chandrayan Gutta constituency. #Telangana pic.twitter.com/ItjQpPQcDU

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018

Visuals: Quiet celebrations outside Congress office in Hyderabad.

Muted celebrations can be seen outside the Congress office in Hyderabad, as party workers and supporters keep an eye on the results.

Input by Sursingh Rajpurohit/101Reporters

TRS agriculture minister Pocharam Srinivasa Reddy leading in Banswada

TRS agriculture minister Pocharam Srinivasa Reddy (Parige) is leading in Banswada constituency. He has won from this seat in both, the 2014 and 2009 polls. His role in the TRS government’s Raithu Bandhu subsidy schemes for farmers is expected to have a big impact in the 2018 polls.

Input by Sursingh Rajpurohit/101Reporters

Congress leaders lagging behind in Kodangal, Jagtial, Gadwal

Except for Uttam Kumar Reddy in Huzurnagar, many other senior Congress leaders are trailing. DK Aruna is trailing in Gadwal, Jeevan Reddy is trailing in Jagtial and Revanth Reddy is trailing in Kodangal.

Input by Mahesh Bacham/101Reporters

Congress trailing behind TRS in Kodangal; KCR leading in Gajwel

Revanth Reddy from the Congress has started trailing behind the TRS in Kodangal. TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao is in the lead in Gajwel with 50,209 votes.

Meanwhile, the TRS’ Harish Rao is leading in Siddipet by 13,040 votes.

22 lakh voted deleted in Telangana, says state Congress unit

The Telangana Congress alleged that 22 lakh votes were deleted in the state, Sources told CNN News18 . State Congress leaders are currently in talks with the party’s central leadership on approaching the Supreme Court, who will make the final call, the news agency reported.

 BJP candidate Satla Ashokj leading in Khanapur, hub of Adivasi-Lambada conflict

BJP candidate Satla Ashok from reserved constituency Khanapur is in the lead.

This constituency is at the heart of the Adivasi-Lambada conflict that flared up last here over ST status for Lambadas, which Adivasis oppose. A traditional Lambada stronghold, Adivasi communities had come together before the elections to ask political parties not to field Lambada candidates and ensure only Adivasi candidates are elected from here. None of the parties except BJP field an Adivasi candidate.

Input by Sursingh Rajpurohit/101Reporters

Jukkal: Incumbent MLA Hanumath Shinde leading by 3,004 votes

Incumbent MLA Hanumath Sindhe of TRS is leading in Jukkal constituency by 3,004 votes.

Input by Sursingh Rajpurohit/101Reporters

TRS leading in 48 seats, Congress in 21, AIMIM in three, BJP in one

TRS candidates are leading in 48 seats, Congress and its allies in 21, AIMIM in three, BJP one, others in one constituency at the end of third round of counting.

Input by Maheshwara Reddy/101Reporters

Ex-Telangana Congress chief Ponnala Lakshmaiah lagging behind

Former Telangana Congress president Ponnala Lakshmaiah, who had visited Rahul Gandhi in Delhi to demand a ticket from Jangaon after his name was removed from the first list of candidates, is lagging behind after the first round of vote counting.

He had lost in the 2013 elections from the same constituency, to incumbent MLA Muthireddy Yadagiri Reddy. Reddy is in the fray this time as well.

Input by Mahesh Bacham/101Reporters

Visuals: TRS in the lead

TRS is surging ahead now#TelanganaElections2018 #TelanganaWithKCR pic.twitter.com/53XB934y8U

— BRS Party (@BRSparty) December 11, 2018

Kukatpally: TRS leading by 1,421 votes

TRS is leading in Kukatpally by 1,421 votes.

TDP candidate Nandamuri Suhasini, who is TDP founder NT Rama Rao’s granddaughter, is making her political debut from here. She is only the second politician from NTR’s family to contest from Telangana after NTR himself lost from Kalwakurthy in 1989. TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu had campaigned extensively for her in this constituency.

Input by Mahesh Bacham/101Reporters

KCR leading by 2,861 votes in Gajwel

TRS chief and caretaker chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is leading in Gajwel by 2,861 votes. In the 2013 polls, he had won this seat by a margin of 20,000 votes.

It is expected that his winning margin might be smaller in the current election as he is up against local strongman leader Pratap Reddy Vanteru, as well as leaders of the Telangana movement like Gaddar.

Input by Sursingh Rajpurohit/101Reporters

Visuals: BJP supporters follow updates in Hyderabad

BJP supporters can be seen tracking updates at the party office in Hyderabad’s Nampally. Over the weekend, state party president K Laxman had said the party was ready to ally with anyone in the state, except the Congress and AIMIM, to help form the government.

The TRS had rejected the offer, saying they will not need any outside support and would come to power under their own steam.

Input by Sursingh Rajpurohit/101Reporters

TRS leading in 28 constituencies, Mahakutami in 15, BJP in one

TRS candidates are leading in 28 constituencies, Congress and its allies in 15 constituencies, AIMIM candidates in three constituencies while BJP in one and others in one.

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People of Telangana are with us: TRS MP K Kavitha

ANI quoted K Kavitha, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) MP, as saying: “We believe that the people of Telangana are with us. We have sincerely worked and utilised the opportunity given to us. So I believe voters will bring us back to power, and that too independently. We are very confident about it.”

K Kavitha, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) MP: We believe people of Telangana are with us. We have sincerely worked and utilised the opportunity given to us. So I believe voters will bring us back to power, and that too independently. We are very confident about it. pic.twitter.com/fgY4EwfguZ

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018

Delay in counting reported in Khammam district

A delay in counting has been reported in Telangana’s Khammam district, which had recorded 85.50 percent voter turnout in the 7 December polls. This figure is also the highest polling percentage across the state.

Input by Sursingh Rajpurohit/101Reporters

BSP’s Malreddy Rangareddy leading in Ibrahimpatnam

Malreddy Rangareddy, who is contesting under BSP’s elephant symbol from Ibrahimpatnam, is leading. He is up against two-time incumbent TRS MLA Manchireddy Kishan Reddy.

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TRS candidates leading in 20 constituencies, Congress in 10

Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) candidates are leading in 20 constituencies, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) in three, Congress in 10, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in one, and others in one.

Ex-TDP MLA leader Revanth Reddy leading in Kodangal

Congress candidate and former TDP MLA Revanth Reddy is leading in Kodangal. He has a strong following here irrespective of his party affiliation.

He has previously alleged unwarranted raids by the EC on the behest of caretaker chief minister, K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR). On the day of KCR’s rally in Kodangal, Reddy was taken into preventive custody, a move that was condemned by the Congress and later the EC and High Court.

TRS leading by 3,022 votes after first round in Warangal West

With the first round of counting complete in Warangal West, TRS is leading by 3,022 votes. TRS’ Harish Rao is leading by 6,368 votes in Siddipet after the first round.

Visuals: Mood upbeat in anticipation of results

At the Congress office in Nampally in Hyderabad, drummers are keeping the mood upbeat in anticipation of results.

Input by Sursingh Rajpurohit/101Reporters

EVM counting begins; TRS in lead in 10 constituencies

With counting of postal ballots now complete, countinf of EVM votes has begun. Early trends show that the TRS is leading in ten constituencies, while the Congress is in the lead in three.

RECAP: Asaduddin Owaisi says AIMIM will stand by KCR

MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi met with caretaker chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao at his office on Monday . Racing past the waiting media on his bike, Owaisi was in a meeting with him for more than two hours.

Speaking to the media later, he said he was confident that Telangana’s people will re-elect KCR as chief minister. “I assure you when the results come out tomorrow, TRS will get a big majority. There is no doubt about this. They will be able to form the government on their own. MIM will continue to stand by TRS as it always has.”

Asked why he chose to ride his bike for meeting instead of his usual tinted SUVs, he said Hyderabad’s great weather had inspired him to do so. 

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Visuals: Congress, TDP, TJS, CPI leaders ask Governor to count parties’ votes together

Leaders of the Mahakutami – the Congress, TDP, TJS and CPI alliance – met Governor ESL Narasimhan on Monday to ask him to count the seats of the four parties together and invite the pre-poll coalition to form the government if they should cross the majority mark of 60.

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Counting begins in Telangana

Counting has begun in Telangana, with exit polls predicting an easy win for the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS).

A total of 43 counting centres across the state will be involved in the process, with 14 tables and 56 EC personnel per constituency. Each constituency will have 18-22 rounds of counting, with an average of four rounds per hour i.e 15 minutes per round. Postal ballots will be counted first.

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Citizens vote for better employment, development

A recent survey by NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR)  revealed that better employment opportunities was by far most concerning for 63 percent of voters in villages, and 71 percent of voters in cities. Political parties appear to have taken note of these concerns, as manifestos of all parties promised the creation of jobs and unemployment allowance to youth.

The state of the health infrastructure in Telangana also appeared to be on top of many people’s minds, with 32 percent respondents in rural regions and 34 percent respondents in urban regions stating that better hospitals and primary health centres were important issues for them.

Farmers’ woes — including higher prices for farm products, agriculture subsidy for seeds/fertilisers, availability of water for agriculture — are considered important by over 40 percent of the respondents.

Similarly, pollution appeared to be a concern particularly in cities, with 50 percent of people citing “noise pollution” as a concern, and 40 percent people citing “water and air pollution” as concerns.

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Break down of voter turnout in Telangana

Telangana, which went to polls on 7 December, recorded a 73.20 percent voter turnout. Of the total electorate, 72.54 percent were men, 73.88 were women, and 8.99 percent were in the Third Gender category.

#TelanganaElections2018
Total percentage of votes polled in 119 ACs on 7th December 2018:
Male - 72.54; Female - 73.88; Third Gender - 8.99
Total voter turn out 73.20% pic.twitter.com/Mv3231Mnmp

— Spokesperson ECI (@SpokespersonECI) December 8, 2018

73.20% voter turnout recorded in Telangana Assembly polls

The Election Commission announced that 73.20 percent polling was registered in the Telangana Assembly elections on 7 December. The announcement came more than 24 hours after polling ended in all 119 constituencies.

Urban areas, particularly Hyderabad, witnessed a low turnout of voters, saying that this was due to the apathy of urban voters who were educated. Rural areas recorded heavy polling, with many constituencies witnessing over 80 percent turnout.

8% of voters unable to exercise franchise

According to activists, at least 8 percent, or 22 lakhs, of the 2.8 crore voters in the state missed out on exercising their franchise due to a faulty voter deletion exercise way back in 2015. On Twitter and other social media platforms, users expressed their discontent with #WhereisMyVote , led by Olympic badminton player, Jwala Gutta.

Visuals: Hyderabad prepares for polls

#Telangana: Visuals from Congress Office in Hyderabad. Counting of votes to be conducted for the state assembly elections at 8 am today. pic.twitter.com/VtSw6RkID6

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018