In first two days, 140 nominations filed, over 50 per cent from independent candidates

Hyderabad: The Election Commission (EC) issued a gazette notification on November 3 for the filing of nominations for the Telangana State Legislative Assembly Elections 2023. Within two days, a total of 140 candidates filed their nominations from 119 constituencies across the state. The last date for filing nominations is November 10 (Friday).

Independent candidates filed 78 nominations

According to the consolidated list of 140 nominations filed till the afternoon of November 4, which was released by the office of the chief electoral officer (CEO), 78 nominations were from candidates contesting as independents.

Interestingly, in the Kamareddy constituency, there are six independent candidates who have submitted their nominations. It is the constituency from where Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) chief Revanth Reddy is filing his nominations.

From down the list, apart from Kamareddy, constituencies such as Nalgonda, Munugode and Parkal each have four independent candidates while constituencies including Nagarjuna Sagar and Narsampet have three independent candidates each so far.

Too many independent candidates for one constituency can be indicative of a strong anti-incumbency factor for the sitting MLA of that constituency.

Nominations from parties away from the region’s limelight

In Telangana, although most of the political focus occurs around parties such as BRS, Congress, and the BJP, candidates from lesser-known parties in this part of the country are also filing their nominations.

For instance, in Kothagudem, Khairatabad and Warangal East constituencies, A Rama Lingeswarao, Mohd Majid and T Ravi Kumar will be contesting from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), respectively.

Similarly, candidates from other parties have filed their nominations in constituencies across the state. These include the Bahujan Samaj Party/BSP from Jukkal, Malakpet and Kothagudem constituencies; Bahujana Left Party from Nizamabad Urban; Samajwadi Party from Korutla; Pyramid Party of India from Karimnagar, Uppal and Madhira; All India Forward Bloc from Huzurabad, Nalgonda and Waradhanapet); All-India Majli-e-Inquilab Millat from Nizamabad Rural; Socialist Unity Centre of India-Communist from Patancheru; Telangana Praja Jeevana Rhythu Party (Malkajgiri); India Praja Bandhu Party from Kukatpalle; Desh Janhit Party from Rajendra Nagar; Dharma Samaj Party from Musheerabad; Shramajeevi Party from Secunderabad Cantonment; Alliance of Democratic Reforms Party from Wanaparthy, Kollapur and Sathupalli; Social Justice Party of India from Munugode; Telangana Rashtra Punahnirmana Samithi from Bhongir; Republican Party of India from Thungathurthy and Ghanpur Station; Vidhyarthula Rajakiya Party from Alair; and Marxist Communist Party of India-United from Bhupalpalle.

39 constituencies remain without nominations

As per data so far, nominations are yet to be filed from constituencies such as Sirpur, Chennur, Asifabad, Adilabad, Boath, Nirmal, Mudhole, Yellareddy, Balkonda, Choppadandi, Vemulawada, Manakondur, Narayankhed, Narsapur, Sangareddy, Gajwel, Medchel, Qutbullapur, Pargi, Vikarabad, Sanathnagar, Karwan, Charminar, Chandrayangutta, Bahadurpura, Secunderabad, Kodangal, Mahabubnagar, Devarkadra, Makthal, Gadwal, Nagarkurnool, Achampet, Kalwakurthy, Shadnagar, Huzurnagar, Dornakal, Mahabubabad and Mulug.

Important dates related to nominations, polling

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced November 10 (Friday), as the last date for filing nominations, November 13 (Monday) as the date for scrutiny of nominations, November 15 (Wednesday) as the last date for the withdrawal of candidature, November 30 (Thursday) as the date for polling, and December 5 (Tuesday) as the date before which the election shall be completed.