Telangana Elections: BRS, Congress, BJP spare no effort as intensive campaign wraps up

Hyderabad: The high-octane campaign for the November 30 Telangana Assembly polls came to an end at 5 pm on Tuesday, after witnessing the longest poll season in 2023 compared to the other four states – Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Mizoram – where the polling process has already been completed.

The model code of conduct came into force in the state after the Elections Commission of India announced the schedule on October 9.

While the BRS is trying to retain power for a third consecutive term, the Congress has been fighting tooth and nail and went all out to make a comeback in the state. The BJP too left no stone unturned to get into power.

Sonia Gandhi sends a message to Telangana

As many as 2,290 contestants are in the fray for the upcoming elections, including BRS supremo and chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, his son and minister KT Rama Rao, TPCC president A Revanth Reddy and BJP Lok Sabha members Bandi Sanjay Kumar, D Arvind and Soyam Bapu Rao.

CM KCR has addressed as many as 96 election rallies during the campaigning period. He is contesting from two segments – Gajwel and Kamareddy – as is Revanth Reddy from Kodangal and Kamareddy. The BJP has fielded its MLA, Rajender Eatala from Gajwel beside Huzurabad, where he is the incumbent legislator.

An hour before the campaign ended in Telangana, senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi released a personalised video seeking support for the party ahead of the polls.

In a two-minute video message on X, Gandhi said, “Namaskaram, my dear sisters and brothers of Telangana, I could not come among you all but I am very close to your hearts. Today I want to say something to you. I want to see the dream of the martyred sons of Mother Telangana fulfilled.” “I sincerely wish that we all convert ‘Dorala Telangana’ into ‘Prajala Telangana’ (from a Telangana controlled by landlords to one that belongs to its people). Make your dreams come true and give you a true and honest government,” she said. On the other side, BRS released a video, depicting Telangana before and after 2014.

Rahul, Priyanka end campaigning at Malkajgiri

On the last leg of campaigning, siblings Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi came together in a road show in Malkajgiri. They ended the campaign with a selfie with the crowd.

In the last few days, both leaders made all possible ways to make Congress’ message reach the public. From having biryani at Bawarchi to sitting in an auto-rickshaw, Rahul Gandhi cruised through a high-octane campaign trail.

KTR toured across Hyderabad

The ruling BRS party leaders too mobilised many supporters through their high-energy campaigning across the state. While KCR campaigned across the state holding public meetings, his son and BRS star campaigner KTR took campaigning to all sections of Hyderabad city; visiting the most famous Niloufer cafe restaurant, the Famous Ice Cream parlour in Moazzam Jahi market, and the Shadab Biryani establishment. KTR also travelled in the metro and interacted with the commuters, especially the youth and first-time voters.

BJP brought the Centre to Telangana

From the BJP, many leaders including prime minister Narendra Modi and minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah addressed a dozen meetings during the campaign period, besides a roadshow in Hyderabad on Monday amid huge fanfare.

The polling day is on November 30 and the counting of votes will be taken up on December 3. All the educational institutions will be closed on November 30, while the ECI has asked the organisations and companies to declare a holiday on the polling day.

As the campaign ends, excise officials have closed liquor shops across the state. No liquor sales till November 30 and also on December 3.