Elections in Telangana can be expected in November

Hyderabad: Telangana Rashtra Samiti president and caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Thursday declared that elections in Telangana can be expected this November.

He also released a list of 105 candidates, all of them sitting party MLAs who can go ahead and begin their campaign for the polls right away.

“Telangana cannot afford to slip into hands of people who have no understanding of its needs. It cannot be given to those people who did nothing for it in the past when in power. I can only say that people of Telangana have seen me and my work over the past 20 years. They have seen what we have done in the past four years. We were worried over the impact of the constant barrage of criticism from the opposition parties and how it might impact the State. We wanted to put an end to the political fragility that is creeping in and hence are going to face the people,” he said.

On the election process, he said “there need be no confusion. I kept this to myself but the fact is that the decision to call for the dissolution of the Assembly was taken after discussing every possibility with the Chief Election Commissioner of India and the two other Election Commissioners. I met with them to discuss all issues in detail. Our Chief Advisor and the Chief Secretary also discussed the topic with ECI



officials.”

“The polls are likely to come quickly. There is no need for confusion. As per my understanding the election process will begin in the first week of October with the polling itself to be held in November. The results will be declared early December,” Chandrashekhar Rao said.

Chandrashekhar Rao said while all the 105 candidates have been informed of their inclusion in the candidate list, two sitting candidates – Nallala Odelu from Chennur and Babu Mohan from Andole – have been excluded from the list. “I have spoken to them and assured them that they will subsequently be accommodated in a appropriate position,” he said.

The finalization of candidates in five other seats – Medhcal, Malkajgiri, Choppadandi, Vikarabad and Warangal East have been kept pending. A final decision will be taken on these constituencies after discussion with party leaders as there is some confusion on these seats, Chandrashekhar Rao said.

The TRS president said any decision the TRS takes will only be in the interest of Telangana State and its people. “If anyone has made any sacrifice right now, it is our MLAs, our Ministers. I salute them for their hard work,” he said.

He said he will address the first campaign meeting at Husnabad on Friday as it was decided that the Friday of Sravana masam is considered auspicious.