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Hyderabad University Protests: Journalist Arrested, BRS Condemns Govt Actions

March 31, 2025, 1:43 pm

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) has lashed out at the Congress-run Telangana government for arresting a reporter who was reporting on student agitations at the Hyderabad University. The agitations broke out against the contentious clearing of forest land within the university campus and the auction of a 400-acre plot adjacent to the institution.

KTR denounced the action of the police and blamed the state government for trying to muzzle the media and voices of dissent.

“The draconian police overreach in Telangana is alarming. Journalists are being detained, and dissenting voices arrested. This blatant suppression of free speech and expression is unacceptable,” KTR said in a tweet on X (formerly Twitter).

BRS Slams Congress on Press Freedom

KTR also took a swipe at Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, calling him hypocrite. KTR said that Gandhi keeps talking about democracy and free speech but says nothing when his party-ruled government cracks down on the press.

The arrested journalist, Sumit, was reporting on the arrest of students demonstrating against the felling of trees on the university campus. Sumit uploaded a video on social media depicting his arrest, which added to the controversy.

Krishank, the BRS spokesperson, also condemned the detention of the journalist, blaming the Congress government for diluting the role of the media in democracy.

BRS Leaders Criticize Government’s Legal Actions

BRS MLA Kalvakuntla Sanjay also complained about the Congress government taking more and more legal actions against its critics. He blamed the ruling party for making cases against opposition leaders and neglecting issues like the latest question paper leak.

Sanjay referred to the Congress government as “Dushman ki Dukaan” (Shop of the Enemy), blaming it for more concern for political suppression rather than dealing with governance failures.

Hyderabad University Students Protest Land Auction

Protests at Hyderabad University started after students saw earth movers clearing a part of the campus. Believing this was the beginning of land auctioning, students immediately moved to the location, climbed onto the movers, and chanted slogans against the authorities.

More than 50 students were arrested by the police during the protest, but they were subsequently released.

Planned Land Development Sparks Controversy

The Telangana government intends to transform the 400-acre property adjacent to the university at Kancha Gachibowli into an IT park. Nevertheless, students and lecturers have complained about the environmental degradation and encroachment of university property.

The University of Hyderabad Students’ Union (UoHSU) deplored police action and referred to land clearing as an assault on the university’s environmental and territorial integrity.

Students Demand Land Ownership for Hyderabad University

The Joint Action Committee (JAC), a group of student unions, faculty members, and workers’ associations, has asked for legal action to stop the auction of land. They have requested the administration of the university to have the land registered in its name formally so that it is not sold.

Protests are still being carried out by students, asking for transparency and accountability from the government on land use policies.

With protests snowballing, the Telangana government comes under mounting pressure from students, opposition leaders, and activists. With legal and political wars, the fate of the disputed land and freedom of the press in the state continues to be a contentious issue.

Delhi Excise Policy Case: Court Takes Notice On K Kavitha’s bail plea

May 10, 2024, 1:41 pm

The Delhi High Court has taken notice of a bail plea filed by Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Leader K Kavitha in connection with the money laundering case linked to the scrapped Excise policy of Delhi. Kavitha has also filed a bail plea in the CBI case, which is expected to be heard on Monday, after both her bail petitions were dismissed by a trial court.

May 24, 2024 has been set aside as the date of the hearing for the specific arguments in this case. In her appeal, Kavitha emphasised that she is a mother of two children, one of which is a juvenile who is under medical monitoring right now because of shock. She said that members of the Center’s ruling party had attempted to link her to the controversy.

Delhi High Court issues notice to Enforcement Directorate (ED) on a bail plea moved by BRS leader K Kavitha in the money laundering case pertaining to the scrapped Excise policy of Delhi. Court fixes May 24 for detailed hearing in the matter.

K Kavitha has also moved a bail plea…

— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2024

She argued that the entire case of the Enforcement Directorate relies on statements made by witnesses or co-accused, without any corroborating evidence. Kavitha claimed that her arrest is illegal as certain legal provisions have not been complied with.

Moreover, she asserted that there is no evidence supporting the allegations of cash transactions or any money trail, and the satisfaction of guilt expressed in her arrest order is merely superficial. Kavitha accused the investigative agencies of using their powers to tarnish her reputation for political motives, particularly ahead of the 2024 general elections.

Kavitha was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 15, 2024, and subsequently by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on April 11, 2024. The CBI had stated that her custodial interrogation was necessary to unearth a larger conspiracy related to the Excise Policy and establish the money trail of ill-gotten gains.

Allegations of irregularities in modifying the excise policy, extending undue favors to license holders, and causing a loss to the exchequer have been made by the ED and CBI. These allegations include the refund of earnest money deposits and the waiver of license fees, resulting in significant financial losses.

CBI to produce BRS leader K Kavitha tomorrow before Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court

April 11, 2024, 5:21 pm

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will present Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha before Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Friday. Kavitha was arrested earlier today by the CBI in connection with an alleged liquor policy scam. She faces charges under sections of criminal conspiracy and falsification of accounts of the Indian Penal Code, as well as certain sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Kavitha was taken into custody at 12.15 pm in Tihar Jail, where she was already under judicial custody in a money laundering case, according to her legal team.

The CBI had informed the court on Wednesday that Kavitha had been examined on April 6 in Tihar Jail in connection with the case. The CBI counsel told Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, “we are not filing any reply, we have already examined her on April 6.”

On April 5, 2024, the Delhi Court had granted permission to the CBI to examine K Kavitha during judicial custody in Tihar Jail on any day of the coming week.

The CBI sought court permission to interrogate Kavitha regarding WhatsApp chats recovered from Buchi Babu’s phone and documents related to a land deal, post which Rs. 100 crores were allegedly paid to the Aam Aadmi Party in kickbacks.

K Kavitha was sent to judicial custody until April 23, 2024, by the Rouse Avenue Court on Tuesday. She was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate recently in connection with a Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had arrested K Kavitha MLC, Telangana Legislative Council, on March 15, 2024, in the case of the alleged liquor policy scam. A search was also conducted at her residence in Hyderabad on the same day.

The ED investigation revealed that K. Kavitha, along with others, conspired with top leaders of AAP, including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, to obtain favors in the Delhi Excise policy formulation and implementation. In exchange for these favors, she was allegedly involved in paying Rs. 100 crore to the AAP.

The ED has alleged that through acts of corruption and conspiracy in the formulation and implementation of Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, a continuous stream of illegal funds in the form of kickbacks from wholesalers was generated for the AAP.

The ED has filed one prosecution complaint and five supplementary complaints in the case so far. Assets worth Rs. 128.79 crore have been traced and attached via provisional attachment orders on January 24 and July 3 in 2023. Both attachment orders have been confirmed by the adjudicating authority in New Delhi.

The CBI inquiry was recommended based on the findings of the Delhi Chief Secretary’s report filed in July showing prima facie violations of the GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR)-1993, Delhi Excise Act-2009, and Delhi Excise Rules-2010.

The ED and the CBI had alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy, undue favors were extended to license holders, the license fee was waived or reduced, and the L-1 license was extended without the competent authority’s approval. The beneficiaries diverted “illegal” gains to the accused officials and made false entries in their books of account to evade detection, the probe agencies said.

According to the allegations, the Excise Department had decided to refund the earnest money deposit of about Rs. 30 crore to a successful tenderer against the set rules. A waiver on tendered license fees was allowed from December 28, 2021, to January 27, 2022, despite no enabling provision, due to COVID-19, resulting in an alleged loss of Rs. 144.36 crore to the exchequer.

Court rejects interim bail to BRS leader Kavitha in Excise policy case

April 8, 2024, 11:57 am

The Rouse Avenue court in the national capital rejected Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha’s detailed interim bail application on Monday, which she filed citing her minor son’s school examinations.

Kavitha is currently in judicial custody following her remand by the ED in the excise policy case. The interim bail plea was dismissed by Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, though a comprehensive bail order is still pending upload.

The ED opposed Kavitha’s bail plea, alleging that she tampered with evidence on her phone and coerced witnesses into retracting their statements. Despite Kavitha’s plea for bail due to her son’s exams, the court sided with the ED’s arguments.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kavitha, argued that exceptions under Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) should apply to her as a woman. Singhvi emphasized the emotional support needed for Kavitha’s minor child during the exams.

However, advocate Zoheb Hossain, the special counsel for ED, countered these arguments, presenting evidence of Kavitha’s involvement in destroying evidence and influencing witnesses.

Hossain highlighted instances where Kavitha deleted data from her phone and tampered with multiple devices. He argued against granting interim relief to Kavitha, citing the ongoing investigative efforts and the risk of her influencing the probe.

Additionally, the ED counsel referred to statements made by Arun Pillai, indicating further complications in the case.

K Kavitha files petition against court’s approval for CBI to question her in Tihar

April 6, 2024, 1:18 pm

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha has filed an application in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court opposing the CBI’s permission to question her in Tihar Jail regarding the state excise policy case.

In her plea, Kavitha expressed concern that the CBI may have misrepresented facts to obtain a favorable court order without her knowledge. She requested the court to suspend its order until her side is heard.

The Special Judge, Kaveri Baweja, granted the CBI time to respond to Kavitha’s application opposing the permission granted for the interrogation. The matter is scheduled for hearing on April 10, 2024.

The plea was filed by Advocate Deepak Nagar on behalf of K Kavitha. Senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhari and Advocate Nitesh Rana represented Kavitha in court.

On Friday, the Delhi Court permitted the CBI to question K Kavitha during judicial custody in Tihar Jail on any day of the coming week.

The CBI sought court permission to interrogate K Kavitha and record her statement regarding WhatsApp chats recovered from Buchi Babu’s phone and documents related to a land deal in which allegedly 100 crores were paid to the Aam Aadmi Party in kickbacks.

Previously, on March 26, 2024, the Rouse Avenue Court remanded Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha to judicial custody until April 9, 2024. She was arrested in connection with a money laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested K Kavitha MLC, Telangana Legislative Council, on March 15, 2024, in the Delhi Liquor Policy Scam case. A search was conducted at her residence in Hyderabad on the same day. During the search, ED officials were obstructed by K Kavitha’s relatives and associates, according to an ED statement.

ED investigation revealed that K Kavitha conspired with top AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, to obtain favors in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi Excise policy. In exchange, she allegedly paid Rs. 100 crores to AAP leaders.

Till date, the ED has conducted searches at 245 locations across the country. Fifteen people, including Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Vijay Nair from AAP, have been arrested in the case. ED has filed 1 Prosecution Complaint and 5 Supplementary Complaints.

Assets worth Rs. 128.79 Crore, generated from the proceeds of crime, have been traced and attached. ED has filed its first chargesheet in the case.

The CBI inquiry was recommended based on findings of a report by the Delhi Chief Secretary, showing prima facie violations of several laws. The ED and the CBI alleged irregularities in the modification of the excise policy, undue favors to license holders, and diversion of “illegal” gains to accused officials.

KTR Issues Legal Notices to Minister Konda Surekha and Two Congress Leaders

April 3, 2024, 10:43 pm

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader KT Rama Rao has issued legal notices to Congress leaders Konda Surekha, Yennam Srinivas Reddy, and KK Mahender Reddy, accusing them of insinuating his involvement in the “phone tapping” case.

The legal notices require an apology within a week for the alleged defamation that tarnished his reputation; otherwise, “legal action” will be pursued.
Last week saw a verbal altercation between KTR and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy regarding allegations of phone tapping in the state.

BRS working president KTR had previously asserted that “phone-tapping,” if it occurred, might have been confined to a few individuals.

In response to the ‘phone tapping’ comments by KT Rama Rao, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy cautioned on Friday that individuals implicated in phone tapping during the previous administration would face imprisonment.

“Earlier, the government scared the people who voted for them by putting cases on them and phone tapping. ‘KTR is saying that they tapped a few calls, so what?’ Can anyone speak like that? If you tapped phones, you will go to Cherlapalli jail. The officers who listened to them are in jail. We already said that they are evil doers, thieves, and if you listen to them, you will go to jail. KTR is speaking like an unbridled bull. They will pay for it, but the case is under investigation,” Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said.

In a statement on March 29, Hyderabad Police announced that the investigation into Case No. 243/2024 at Panjagutta Police Station is ongoing. They stated that one individual linked to the crimes reported in the case has been apprehended by the Investigation Officer.

Former SIB DSP Praneeth Rao, along with Additional SPs Bhujanga Rao and Thirupathanna, were detained in connection with the phone tapping case. Furthermore, the SIT interrogated former Task Force DCP Radhakishan Rao for more than 10 hours before taking him into custody.

The phone-tapping case centers on accusations of extensive phone surveillance of political figures, including Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, during the preceding BRS administration under K Chandrashekar Rao.

Bathini Srinivas Rao Files Complaint Against KTR for Allegations Against Telangana CM Reddy

March 30, 2024, 12:14 pm

Congress leader Bathini Srinivas Rao lodged a complaint in Hanmakonda against former minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi working president Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao (KTR) for leveling accusations against Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.

Expressing disapproval of the accusations, the Congress leader stated that KTR had made untrue and deceptive claims against Chief Minister Reddy, alleging that he had amassed Rs 2,500 crores from contractors and builders and transferred the sum to Delhi.

“Misleading and baseless allegations are being made by KTR and disrupting peace and security,” Bathini Srinivas Rao said in his complaint.

According to the ACP of Hanumakonda, “A zero FIR has been filed against KTR on the complaint of Congress leader Bathini Srinivas Rao for making allegations against Telangana CM Revanth Reddy.”

Earlier on Friday, CM Reddy reacted to KTR’s statement suggesting that ‘phones may have been tapped’. Reddy issued a caution, stating that individuals implicated in the purported phone tapping during the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) administration ‘will be sent to jail.’

“Earlier, the government scared the people who voted for them by putting cases on them and phone tapping. ‘KTR is saying that they tapped a few calls, so what?’ Can anyone speak like that? If you tap phones, you will go to Cherlapalli jail. The officers who listened to them are in jail. We already said that they are evil doers, thieves, and if you listen to them, you will go to jail. KTR is speaking like an unbridled bull. They will pay for it, but the case is under investigation,” Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said.

The phone-tapping case centers on accusations of extensive phone tapping of political figures, including Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, during the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) administration under the leadership of K Chandrashekar Rao.

K Kavitha produced in court in Delhi excise policy scam; claims case against her is “political laundering”

March 26, 2024, 12:56 pm

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha, currently in Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody regarding a suspected liquor case, stated on Tuesday that the accusations against her do not pertain to money laundering but rather to what she terms as “political laundering.”

Addressing the Rouse Avenue Court as her ED custody period in the Delhi excise policy money laundering case ended, Kavitha argued, “This is not a money laundering case but a political laundering case. It is a fabricated and false case.” She further asserted, “One accused has joined BJP, the second accused is getting a BJP ticket and the third accused has given 50 crore in electoral bonds. This is a political laundering case, we will come out clean.”

The Enforcement Directorate, seeking judicial custody for Kavitha, informed the Rouse Avenue Court that during her custody, they had taken her statement, conducted interrogations, and confronted her with various individuals and digital records.

Kavitha, a Member of Legislative Council (MLC) from Telangana and daughter of former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, was arrested in Hyderabad on March 15 and subsequently remanded to ED custody a day later following a search operation at her Hyderabad residence.

Previously, the Supreme Court declined to consider K Kavitha’s bail plea in the Delhi excise policy case, instructing her to seek an expeditious decision on the bail application from the trial court.

The Enforcement Directorate has previously alleged that Kavitha, an MLC from BRS, conspired with top leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, to gain advantages in the formulation and execution of the Delhi Excise policy, involving a payment of Rs 100 crore to AAP leaders for these favors.

The case originated from a report submitted by Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena in July 2022, highlighting alleged procedural lapses in the policy formulation, leading to financial losses estimated at over Rs 580 crore.

In its first prosecution complaint in November 2021, the ED asserted that the policy was crafted with deliberate loopholes, promoting cartel formations to benefit AAP leaders, who allegedly received kickbacks from the “South Group” to the tune of Rs 100 crore.

Kavitha’s arrest is reportedly linked to her association with this “South Group.”

Meanwhile, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was remanded to ED custody for seven days, until March 28, following his arrest by the probe agency in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case.

Court extends judicial custody of Manish Sisodia till April 6

March 19, 2024, 3:24 pm

The judicial custody of Manish Sisodia was extended by Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court until April 6, the next hearing date in the Delhi Excise Policy case. Today, AAP leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia appeared at Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court for a hearing in the Delhi Excise Policy case.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) opposed the bail plea of former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in a Delhi court on Monday, expressing concerns that some high-profile individuals might be arrested. The CBI stated that an investigation is ongoing in the Delhi Excise policy case, and the accused may disrupt it.

Senior advocate Mathur, representing Sisodia, argued that bail was granted to other accused based on his judgment, despite the irony of the situation. He also pointed out that the Supreme Court granted him liberty based on the assurance from the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) that the investigation would be concluded within 6-8 months. Additionally, he emphasized that there was no loss to the exchequer or any private individual, and no money was exchanged.

However, the bail plea was opposed by Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Pankaj Gupta, who argued that the trial was being delayed due to the accused, and there were concerns that high-profile individuals might influence witnesses and hinder the investigation. Gupta urged the court to dismiss the application.

On Monday, the Enforcement Directorate alleged that Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha conspired with top leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, to gain favors in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi Excise policy. It was claimed that she was involved in paying Rs 100 crore to AAP leaders in exchange for these favors.

“Congress and BRS are two sides of same coin”: PM Modi hits back at Opposition over ‘Parivarvad’

March 5, 2024, 2:20 pm

Accusing the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and Congress of a four-decade nexus to cover up each other’s scams, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public rally in Sangareddy. He labeled both parties as “two sides” of the “same coin” and alleged that they provide cover for each other’s corruption. PM Modi emphasized that his government, unlike others, doesn’t hesitate to conduct “surgical strikes or airstrikes” against corruption.

Highlighting the connection between the two parties, PM Modi stated, “Congress and BRS are two sides of the same coin. There is a nexus between both parties. They provide a cover for each other’s scam. Congress has made Telangana its new ATM. Such behaviour will not go on for long.” He also contrasted the corrupt practices of ‘Parivarvadi’ parties with his efforts for the poor, emphasizing the growth of Jan Dhan accounts and providing housing for the underprivileged.

PM Modi revealed his commitment to transparency by depositing all gifts received in Toshakhana, which are auctioned for the service of the Ganga River. He criticized ‘Parivarvadis’ for converting black money into white through gifts, contrasting it with his transparent approach.

Reiterating the “400 seats pitch,” PM Modi urged support for building a developed India, stating, “Abki Baar, 400 Paar!” He asserted that the BRS and Congress lack vision for Telangana’s development, emphasizing the BJP’s dedication to serving the state diligently.

PM Modi is on a three-day visit to Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, West Bengal, and Bihar from March 4 to 6.

Telangana: BRS MLA Lasya Nandita Dies In Tragic Road Accident

February 23, 2024, 10:00 am

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA Lasya Nandita met with a tragic end today in a fatal road accident in Hyderabad. The 37-year-old, a first-time MLA, suffered severe injuries when her vehicle lost control and collided with a road divider.

Subsequent to the accident, Lasya Nandita was swiftly transported to the hospital, where she eventually succumbed to her injuries. The driver involved in the collision is reported to be in critical condition and is currently undergoing medical treatment.

This marks the second recent incident involving Lasya, as she had survived another accident in Narkatpally just ten days prior, resulting in minor injuries. On February 13, while en route to Nalgonda to attend a rally by the Chief Minister, another accident occurred, leading to the tragic death of her home guard.

A notable figure in the political landscape, Lasya Nandita had served as a corporator from Kavadiguda since 2016. Born in Hyderabad in 1986, she entered politics approximately a decade ago, initially serving as a corporator in the Kavadiguda ward before being elected as an MLA from Secunderabad Cantonment in the 2023 Telangana assembly elections.

KT Rama Rao, a senior BRS leader, conveyed his condolences on X (formerly Twitter) regarding Nandita’s sudden demise. The driver involved in the crash remains critically injured and is presently undergoing medical treatment. Following her father G Sayanna’s passing last year, Lasya assumed the responsibility of continuing his legacy. In the November 2023 elections, she secured victory after being nominated as the party’s candidate.

BJP sweeps 3 Hindi heartland states; Congress routs BRS in Telangana

December 3, 2023, 7:00 pm

The verdict is 3-1 in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assembly elections 2023. Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh were painted saffron as postal ballots and electronic voting machines revealed that the voters had gone with the incumbent in the first-mentioned state and thrown out the ruling party in the other two. The only silver lining for the Congress was Telangana where it delivered the knockout blow to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) to bag the second southern state in its kitty after Karnataka.

Madhya Pradesh cemented its position as an impregnable BJP fortress as the party stormed back to power by winning almost 70 per cent of the seats in Assembly elections 2023. Putting to rest all doubts and exit polls about the party not doing well in the state, the BJP came out on top riding on the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with the development and welfare schemes of the state government.

Continuing with its sweep of the Hindi heartland, the party also secured big victories in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, the two states where the Congress was in power. The desert state lived up to its reputation of throwing out the incumbent every Assembly election as the BJP secured a majority easily while the Congress was left licking its wounds.

Chhattisgarh, which pollsters and political pundits had claimed would return the Congress to power, was yet another feather in the BJP’s cap on Sunday (December 3, 2023). Defying all the naysayers, the BJP routed Congress to regain power in the state after five years.

But the Congress, which was betting heavily on a positive outcome in the Hindi-speaking states to bolster its claim as the numero uno opposition party and to claim the leadership position in the opposition INDIA bloc, wrested Telangana, which had since its inception in 2014 had been a pocket borough of BRS’s K Chandrasekar Rao.

The gamble of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lead the charge in the face of the next Lok Sabha elections due in about six months in May-June 2024 paid off handsomely as his connection and charisma saw the BJP surging past its principal pan-India rival in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

With the next Lok Sabha election approaching and political parties gearing up for the same, BJP’s big win in three states and the upsurge in its vote share in Telangana are a shot in the arm for the party as well as PM Modi. The scale of victory in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh also proves that the BJP versus Congress battle is heavily loaded in favour of the former.

How The States Voted

A comparison between the 2018 and 2023 election results reveals that the BJP has widened the gap between itself and the Congress. In Madhya Pradesh, the BJP’s tally jumped from 109 in the last polls to 165 five years later while the Congress slumped from 114 to just 63 in the 230-member Assembly.

Rajasthan, which has a habit of giving narrow victories, gave the BJP 115 seats, a big jump from the 73 it had won in 2018 and ensured a comfortable majority in the 200-member Assembly. On the other hand, the Congress saw a dip of 30 seats as its score came down to 70 from 100 five years ago.

Chhattisgarh, which is a 90-MLA House and had given a massive mandate to the Congress in 2018, saw the tables turned in 2023 as the party’s candidates came out on top in only 34 constituencies leading to its numbers falling by the same number of seats. The BJP gained massively taking its tally to 54 from the lowly 15 in 2018.

In Telangana, too, the BJP registered a quantum jump with its tally going up nine times in five years. The party had just one MLA in the state Assembly after the 2018 polls, but it saw nine of its candidates romping home in the 2023 edition.

Congress claimed just one state in the battle where it had been boasting that it would come out on top in the other three states too. The battle for Telangana was between the ruling BRS of K Chandrashekar Rao and Congress.

After a 10-year-long rule in the state, KCR’s party saw a resurgent Congress decimating it by winning 64 seats to the later 40. The state has 119 constituencies.

Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao on exit poll results: “Exact polls will give us good news”

December 1, 2023, 3:12 pm

Exit poll projections indicated that the Congress was leading the contest to form the government in Telangana. However, Telangana Minister and working president of Bharat Rashtra Samithi, KT Rama Rao, stated on Friday that precise poll results will “give us good news.”

“After a long time had a peaceful sleep. Exit polls can take a hike. Exact polls will give us good news,” Minister KTR posted on X.

After ten years in power in India’s youngest state, exit polls on Thursday indicated that the Congress is likely to form government in Telangana and that the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), which is currently in power, would not secure a majority.
KT Rama Rao stated at a press conference on Thursday that the BRS was certain of forming the government, in contrast to what the pollsters were saying.

“We have proved the exit polls wrong in the past too. we will do it again. BRS will return to power on December 3 with 70+ seats. This is an illogical exit poll. People are still voting. People are queuing up to vote till 9pm. I think it’s very ludicrous. I’ve come here because I wanted to tell my party cadre that don’t believe this nonsense” KT Rama Rao had said.
State Congress President Revanth Reddy asserted that the grand old party is going to get a landslide victory this time after exit poll results were out on Thursday evening.

Telangana Assembly polls: 20 pc voter turnout recorded

November 30, 2023, 11:15 am

Telangana recorded a voter turnout of 20.64 per cent till 11 am in the assembly polls that is currently underway for 119 seats, according to the Election Commission of India. The ECI reports that voter turnout was 13.50 percent in Adilabad, 8.33 percent in Bhadradri, 6.89 percent in Hanumankonda, and 10.82 percent in Jagtial. It also stated that, up until nine in the morning, voter turnout in Karimnagar was 8.21%, Jogulamba Gadwal was 12.02%, Kamareddy was 9.98%, and Jayashankar Bhupalpalle was 10.50%.

Polling for the 119 Assembly constituencies in Telangana began on Thursday morning. As many as 2,290 candidates from 109 national and regional parties including 221 women and one transgender are in the fray.
The counting of the votes will take place on December 3, coinciding with the results of the other four states- Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram.

The ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi has fielded candidates in all 119 seats, while, as per the seat-sharing agreement, BJP and actor Pawan Kalyan-headed Jana Sena Party are contesting in 111 and eight seats respectively, while Congress has given one seat to its ally CPI, and fighting from 118 others. Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM has put up candidates from nine seats.
For a higher voter turnout, several leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi have urged the people of the state to exercise their franchise.
Taking to X, PM Modi appealed to people to strengthen the ‘festival of democracy’ by casting their votes.

Educational institutions to remain shut on Nov 29, 30 in Hyderabad for Assembly polls

November 28, 2023, 2:35 pm

All Hyderabad district educational facilities will be closed on November 29 and 30 due to the state election. Anudeep Durishetty, the district collector of Hyderabad, declared the holiday for all Hyderabadi educational institutions. On December 1, colleges and schools will reopen.

“In view of the Telangana Assembly Elections 2023, all educational institutions in Hyderabad district will remain closed on November 29 and 30. Regular activities will resume on December 1,” posted Durishetty on X.
The state is set to go to the polls on November 30.
The state is poised for a three-cornered contest between the ruling BRS, which is bidding to return to the hustings for a third straight term, the Congress, and a resurgent BJP.

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), formerly known as Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), won 88 of the 119 seats in the most recent Assembly elections in 2018, capturing 47.4% of the total vote share. With just 19 seats, the Congress finished a distant second, and the BJP received no votes.

BRS MLC K Kavitha flags “omissions” in women’s reservation Bill

September 21, 2023, 11:19 am

One of the leading proponents of a law ensuring a more equitable representation of women in law-making bodies, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha, hailed the passage of the women’s reservation bill in the Lok Sabha as a significant step toward ensuring stronger and more significant participation of women in the political process.

However, while hailing the passage of the women’s quota Bill, she added that the exclusion of an “OBC sub-quota” from the draft legislation was “painful”.
The daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao wrote to the supremos of 47 political parties, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, earlier, calling on them to set aside political differences and prioritise the passage of the women’s reservation Bill in the ongoing Special Session of Parliament, which began on Monday.

Earlier, in March, the BRS MLC sat on a hunger strike, demanding the tabling and passage of the bill.

“I congratulate all fellow citizens, especially women, on the passage of this Bill,” Kavitha remarked after the Bill was passed by an overwhelming majority in the Lower House. This represents a significant advancement in the goal of increasing women’s political participation. The democratic underpinnings of the nation will undoubtedly be strengthened by this law. Since we are the largest democracy in the world, the level of discussion in our legislature would improve if more women participated.

On the non-provision of an OBC sub-quota in the draft legislation, she said, “There are a couple of ommissions that catch one’s eye. Not providing a sub-quota for OBC women is painful. They should have added a sub-quota in the Bill as it would ensured a similar representation of women from backward classes in the legislative process,” she said.

BRS MLA KP Vivekananda slams BJP’s leadership void in state after Amit Shah’s visit

June 14, 2023, 1:13 pm

In light of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Telangana state on Wednesday, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA KP Vivekananda of the Quthbullapur constituency claimed that the BJP lacked leadership in the state.

Shah’s visit came ahead of the assembly election in the state. On Tuesday, he said, “It [Amit Shah’s visit] clearly shows that BJP does not have a proper face in Telangana state.”
Shah will reach Hyderabad on Wednesday Night at Shamshabad airport and will leave for Vijaywada on Thursday after the Khammam (Telangana) public meeting.
He said the same had happened during the Karnataka elections.Assembly Elections in Telangana are going to be held before December 2023.

“Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and even JP Nadda were there in Karnataka, but the people did not believe them. The people do not have faith in the national leadership. For the past 9 years, we have not been given a single national project. However, the central government is recognising our villages and municipalities, it shows our development. The performance of the state BJP has failed utterly. They only worked for their party and divided the people over religion and caste. The Telangana people will never accept it or entertain it in our state,” he added.