Congress is a big force in the assembly by-elections to be held on May 27
Hyderabad: Nearly 41,000 fewer voters have registered in the by-elections for the Legislative Council held on Monday, but this has not dampened the enthusiasm of the parties campaigning for their candidates. The result will be known on June 5.
Voter registration declined by 41,726 compared to the previous election. About 4.63 lakh voters, including 2.87 lakh men, are in the voter list, compared to 5.04 lakh voters in 2021.
Pro. Kodandram, speaking to Deccan Chronicle, attributed the decline in registrations to the timing of the by-elections. “The focus was mainly on the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. The continuous election cycle is the main reason for the decline in voter registration,” he said.
The political landscape has changed since the 2021 MLC elections, with the Congress in power – and currently claiming seven ministers out of 31 MLAs (including Kadiyam Srihari who defected from BRS) – and the BRS experiencing a decline in support. BJP is facing the possibility of victory on eight assembly seats and good performance in the Lok Sabha elections.
This by-election is an important test for the Congress to show its influence among the educated voters after the victory in this assembly election. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is fully focused on winning the seat. It is important for BRS to retain the seat amid recent setbacks including defeat in the assembly elections and defection of senior leaders. BJP’s victory will further strengthen its lead in state politics.
The Congress has nominated Chintakalaya ‘Theenmar Mallanna’ Naveen, who stood second as an independent in the 2021 MLC by-election and hails from the influential Munnuru Kapu community of the backward class.
BJP faces challenge as party symbols are not used in MLC elections: Its candidate A. Rakesh Reddy is a former spokesperson of BJP. BJP leaders focused their campaign on the unfulfilled promises of the Congress government and the achievements of the Narendra Modi administration.
BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao urged voters to elect Rakesh Reddy, who returned home after completing his higher education in the US, and criticized Congress candidate Mallanna as a “blackmailer” due to his controversial YouTube channel and arrests during the BRS regime.
Campaigning for the by-election for the Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda graduates constituency, which is a high profile contest after the Lok Sabha elections. Will end at 4 pm on Saturday. Counting of votes will take place on June 5.
The by-election was necessitated by the resignation of BRS MLC Palla Rajeshwar Reddy after being elected as Jangaon MLA last year. There are 52 candidates in the fray. The winner will serve the remaining term till March 2027.
by-election fact sheet
The campaign for the Legislative Council Graduate constituency by-election ended on Saturday.
Extent of constituency: Warangal, Khammam and Nalgonda
Assembly Constituency: 34
2023 election results
Congress: 30+1 (Kadiam Srihari)
BRS: 4
In the fray: 52 candidates
Main contenders: Chintakayala ‘Thenmar Mallanna’ Naveen (Congress); A. Rakesh Reddy (BRS), G.P. Reddy (BJP)
MLC elections will not be fought on party symbols.
The campaign will end at 4 pm on Saturday.
Counting of votes on June 5
less voters
2024: 4.63 lakh
2021: 5,04,726
Why by-election: BRS MLC Palla Rajeshwar Reddy resigned after being elected Jangaon MLA.
2021: Palla Rajeshwar Reddy (BRS) winner with 12,801 votes, Tinmar Mallanna (Ind.) second, Prof. M. Kodandaram (TJS) and Premender Reddy (BJP) stood second.
