Khammam: CPM Backs Congress' Ramashyam Reddy, Urges BJP Defeat for Democracy

Khammam: CPM district secretary Nunna Nageshwar Rao on Friday said that there was dire need to defeat the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections to save democracy and secularism. He was speaking at a campaign meeting in support of Congress Khammam candidate Ramashyam Raghuveera Reddy. Nageshwar Rao alleged that the BJP was the most corrupt party, having received Rs 16,000 crore in electoral bonds. The Modi government had privatised public sector units to benefit corporates. The CPM leader alleged that the BJP had been trying to get political mileage by creating differences among the people in the name of religion. It was also conspired to amend the Constitution, which was a threat to secularism and the reservation system. He said that CPM members would work for the victory of Raghuveera Reddy by explaining to the people the threat posed by the BJP

IMD Forecasts Rainfall in Telangana

Though the vulnerability component of India (exposure index) is not that high (11.9 per cent), its lack of ability to cope with disasters is very high (80.2 percent). Though the vulnerability component of India (exposure index) is not that high (11.9 per cent), its lack of ability to cope with disasters is very high (80.2 percent). Hyderabad: Telangana might get a relief from the scorching temperatures as IMD predicted Light to Moderate rains in parts of the State from May 6. Thunderstorm accompanied with Lightning and gusty winds(30-40 kmph) very likely to occur at isolated places in Nizamabad, Rajanna Sirsilla, Jayashankar-Bhupalapally, Mulugu, Bhadradri-Kothagudem, Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Mahabubabad, Warangal, Hanamkonda, Rangareddy, Hyderabad, Medchal-Malkajigiri, Medak, Nagarkurnool districts of Telangana, said the press release. For Hyderabad, partly cloudy sky has been forecasted for the next 48 hours. Maximum and Minimum Temperatures are likely to be around 43C and 27C respectively, added the release. Telangana is reeling under severe heatwave with temperatures reaching close to 47C.

Ahmed Patel advised me not to interfere in Khammam politics: Telangana CM

Hyderabad: Describing the people of Khammam region as highly enlightened fighters who would stop at nothing to achieve their cause by waging movements, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said that he was advised by former MP Ahmed Patel to be cautious, and not to meddle with local politics in Khammam. Addressing the Congress Jana Jathara Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

BRS, BJP conspiring to defeat Congress, says Telangana CM Revanth Reddy

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy accused BJP-BRS collusion against Congress at Khammam rally, citing varied support areas. Allegations included coalition plans, government policies, and upcoming election dynamics. The rally emphasized the ongoing political tensions and strategic alliances.

BRS, BJP colluding to undermine Congress, alleges Telangana CM Revanth Reddy

BRS, BJP colluding to undermine Congress, alleges Telangana CM Revanth Reddy Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Saturday alleged that BJP and BRS, with an ''internal understanding'', were conspiring to defeat Congress in the Lok Sabha polls. He was addressing an election rally at Kothagudem in Khammam Lok Sabha constituency. Revanth Reddy, who is also president of Congress in Telangana, referred to BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao's comments that a coalition government would be formed at the Centre and that BRS nominee from Khammam Nama Nageswara Rao would become a Union Minister. Observing that Congress activists would not allow any truck between Congress and BRS, he said BJP is the only option left for BRS to join hands in government formation at the Centre. ''You (Chandrasekhar Rao) are going to join hands with BJP. That is we have been saying and you have been doing,'' he said. BRS had supported the BJP-led government at the Centre on demonetisation, GST, triple talaq, CAA, uniform civil code and others, he claimed. ''Even today, a conspiracy is on in Telangana. With an internal understanding, BJP and BJP are making conspiracies to see that Congress does not win,'' he said. He said the Legislative Assembly elections held in December were a ''semifinal'', while the Lok Sabha polls are the ''final.'' ''In the finals, (the contest is between) Telangana team vs Gujarat team. While Narendra Modi is leading that team, Rahul Gandhi ji is going to lead the Telangana team,'' he said. He alleged that the BJP-led government at the Centre did not implement the assurances made to Telangana in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act like setting up a steel plant, rail coach factory and tribal university. All that the BJP-led government gave to Telangana is a ''donkey's egg'', he claimed, also displaying the picture of a ''donkey's egg.'' The ''donkey's egg'' (denoting zero or insignificant as per a Telugu saying) has been a routine feature in Revanth Reddy's rallies during the ongoing campaign for Lok Sabha polls. Reiterating his allegation that BJP would change the Constitution and abolish reservations, he claimed that BJP General Secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam talked about making changes in the Constitution and its Preamble. State BJP president G Kishan Reddy and other party leaders have already dismissed Revanth Reddy's claims that BJP would change the Constitution. Taking exception to BRS president Chandrasekhar Rao's alleged comments that the farmers' investment scheme has stopped after BRS stepped down from office, Revanth Reddy asserted that he would apologise if any dues of the scheme are pending for any farmer by May 9.

Hyderabad records seasons highest temp at 44.20C

HYDERABAD: The city recorded the highest temperature of this summer season yet on Friday amidst the prevailing heatwave conditions in the state for the past week. According to the Telangana State Development and Planning Society (TSDPS), Hyderabad witnessed the highest maximum temperature of 44.20C in Quthbullapur, marking a one degree rise from Thursdays 43.20C. The IMD also reported a sharp rise in temperatures in the city and said the ongoing heatwave will persist for the next four days across Telangana. IMD officials, speaking to TNIE said, Hyderabad recorded the highest temperature of the season on Friday. Maximum temperatures were higher compared to the last two years. Heatwave conditions are expected to persist in the state for the next four days, after which there will be a significant drop in temperatures. However, temperatures are expected to rise again towards the end of the month and continue until the start of June. Maximum temperatures in the state nearly reached 470C, with four districts Peddapalli, Suryapet, Jagtial and Khammam recording a maximum temperature of 46.70C, followed by Mancherial and Nalgonda at 46.50C. As many as 29 districts were under a red alert for extreme temperatures, with the mercury crossing the 450C mark. Adilabad, Medak, Sangareddy and Hyderabad recorded temperatures above 440C, with an orange alert issued. Light rains in parts of TG from May 6 The TSDPS further said that 95 mandals in the state experienced heatwave conditions with maximum temperature departures ranging from 4.5 degree to 6.4 degree celsius in these places. The highest maximum average temperature in the state on Friday was 43.1 degree against the normal 40.7 degree, whereas the GHMCs maximum average temperature was 42.4 degree against 39.8 degree normal. According to IMD, dry weather will prevail in the state till May 6, after which light to moderate rains or thundershowers are expected in isolated parts under the influence of a weather system from south Chhatisgarh to south Tamil Nadu across Rayalaseema and Telangana. IMD also issued an orange warning for heatwave in the state till May 6. The city is also expected to experience higher temperatures, with a maximum of 43 degree and minimum of 28 degree, along with north-westerly winds at speeds of around 4-8 kmph.

Telangana: Extreme Heatwave, Mercury Soaring Above 46 Degrees Celsius

Hyderabad : The state is currently experiencing severe heat wave conditions, with at least 18 districts recording temperatures exceeding 46C on Friday. This alarming weather phenomenon has prompted the India Meteorological Department to issue heat wave alerts across various districts. Peddapalli, Suryapet, Jagitial, and Khammam are bearing the brunt of the scorching heat, each recording a peak temperature of 46.7C. Close behind were Mancherial and Nalgonda at 46.6C, and Karimnagar at 46.5C. Other districts like Mahbubabad, Narayanpet, Jayashankar, and Warangal also reported extremely high temperatures ranging from 46.3C to 46.4C, data from the Telangana State Development Planning Society (TSDPS) showed. Hyderabad, has reported an average temperature of 44C, while its outskirts like Keesara and Ghatkesar reached 45.1C, and Chikur and Moinabad recorded temperatures of 44.8C. The IMD has issued a yellow alert indicating a likely continuation of heat wave conditions from until May 7, across districts including Nirmal, Nizamabad, Jagitial, and Rajanna Sircilla. An orange alert for prolonged heat waves has been announced for districts such as Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalapally, Mulugu, and others. These alerts signal potential health risks and advisories for residents to take precautions. The forecast also predicted the possibility of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds ranging from 30-50 kmph, adding a layer of complexity to the existing weather challenges.

Muslims, Christians, Hindus moving forward with feeling of brotherhood: BRS's Nama Nageswara Rao on Owaisi's remark

Muslims, Christians, Hindus moving forward with feeling of brotherhood: BRS's Nama Nageswara Rao on Owaisi's remark In reaction to All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief Asaduddin Owaisi's remarks to ANI comparing the situation of Muslims in today's India to that of Jews in Germany during dictator Adolf Hitler's era, Bharat Rashta Samithi (BRS) candidate from Khammam, Nama Nageswara Rao said that all religious communities in the country are moving forward with the feeling of brotherhood. The BRS leader however said that some people are trying to create a divide between people in the society which should not happen. In India, Muslims, Christians and Hindus are moving forward with the feeling of brotherhood. Some people try to create rivalry between Hindus and Muslims, Hindus and Christians. This is not good for the country. We governed Hyderabad very peacefully. The way some people are dividing the society is not right, Rao said speaking to ANI on Friday. Objecting to the recent practice of raising Jai Shree Ram slogans in Parliament, Rao said, Even in Parliament Jai Shree Ram slogans are raised. This was not the culture earlier. This should not happen. Everyone should protect democracy. Speaking about the developmental works undertaken by the BRS government when it was in power in Telangana and comparing that to the Congress government in the state, Rao said, KCR used to give gifts to Muslims in Ramzan. Congress used Muslims for vote bank. KCR has protected Muslims and undertook development works for them when the BRS was in power. They (Congress) did not give Ramzan gifts to Muslims this time. The BRS leader said that Muslims are ready to support his party even today. I went to some mosques recently. Till today they are ready to help me and our party. The BRS takes all Hindus, Christians and Muslims together, Rao said. On Rahul Gandhi filing his nomination from Uttar Pradesh's Raebareli, besides contesting from Kerala's Wayanad, Rao quipped saying that he must have thought Wayanad to be a safe seat in case he loses from Raebareli. If he does not contest from there, people might criticize saying that he has run away and gone south. If he loses, they will say that he has lost. Since he thought that it (Wayanad) is a safe seat, he is contested from the south, Rao said. Speaking on some reports in the past that Rahul Gandhi would be contesting from Khammam, the BRS leader said, For one month, all papers and TVs reported that he will be contesting from here. It would have been nice. I wanted to fight against him. Polling for all 17 seats in Telangana will take place on May 13, in the fourth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The BRS, which was then the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), claimed the lion's share of the electoral spoils in the 2019 polls, winning 9 seats while the BJP secured 4 seats. The Congress and the AIMIM brought up the rear, winning 3 and 1 seats respectively. (ANI)

BRS Would Split into Four after LS Elections: Komatireddy

Nalgonda: Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy on Thursday said that BRS would split into four parts after the Lok Sabha elections. BRS president K. Chandrashekar Rao had looted the public when he was Chief Minister. His daughter K. Kavitha was spending time in jail and Rao would meet the same fate, Venkat Reddy said. He was speaking at a meeting to mark the filing of nomination papers by Chinthapandu Naveen (Teenmar Mallanna), Congress candidate for the Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda graduates constituency of the Legislative Council. He said that GO 46 passed by the BRS government had done injustice to the unemployed. The Congress government would cancel the order after discussing it in the Assembly, he said. The Congress government was committed to fulfiling its poll promises, he added. Venkat Reddy asked Congress workers to strive for a victory margin of one lakh votes for Mallanna. Mallanna earlier filed a set of nomination papers with returning officer Harichanda Dasari at the district collectorate.

Heatwave to Persist for Two More Days in Eastern and Southern Peninsular India

Heatwave to Persist for Two More Days in Eastern and Southern Peninsular India The record-breaking heatwave spell affecting east India and parts of the southern peninsular region continued unabated on Friday, with temperatures settling above 44 degrees Celsius in at least 13 places. Intensely hot conditions prevailed in parts of Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Maximum temperatures settled in the range of 43-46 degrees Celsius in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Vidarbha, Madhya Maharashtra and 40-43 degrees in parts of Gangetic West Bengal, Marathwada and north interior Karnataka, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. Nandyal in Andhra Pradesh sizzled at 46.3 degrees Celsius, the highest maximum temperature in the country on Friday. The mercury settled at 44.6 degrees Celsius in Odisha's Boudh, 45 degrees in Khammam (Telangana), 46.2 degrees in Cuddapah (Andhra Pradesh), 43.4 degrees in Erode (Tamil Nadu), and 44.6 degrees in West Bengal's Kalaikunda. The IMD said the ongoing heatwave spell in east and south peninsular India will continue until May 5-6 and abate thereafter. The Met office on Wednesday said above-normal maximum temperatures are likely over most parts of the country in May and a significantly high number of heatwave days expected over the northern plains, central region and adjoining areas of peninsular India. April witnessed record-smashing maximum temperatures in east, northeast and southern peninsular India, prompting health warnings from government agencies and some states to suspend in-person classes in schools. A number of stations recorded their highest-ever April day temperatures. Five active western disturbances led to rainfall, thunderstorms and hail storms over north and central India at regular intervals in April, preventing heat waves. IMD data shows that heat waves this April were far worse than in 2023, the warmest year on record so far. This trend is likely to continue in May, with around eight to 11 heatwave days predicted over the south Rajasthan, west Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Marathwada and the Gujarat regions. The remaining parts of Rajasthan, east Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and some parts of Chhattisgarh, interior Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, north interior Karnataka and Telangana may record five to seven heatwave days during the month. Normally, the northern plains, central India and adjoining areas of peninsular India experience around three days of heat waves in May. India witnessed two spells of heat waves in April -- from April 5 to 7 and April 15 to 30. The IMD attributed the prolonged heatwave spell over east, northeast and south peninsular India in April to the absence of thunderstorms and an anticyclone at lower levels over the west central Bay of Bengal and the adjoining eastern coasts of India. This caused the sea breeze to cut off over Odisha and West Bengal on most days. The weather office said south peninsular India recorded an average maximum temperature of 31 degrees Celsius in April, the second-highest since 1901. The mean temperature (28.12 degrees Celsius) in April in east and northeast India was the highest since 1901, it said. The IMD said above-normal maximum temperatures have become frequent over south peninsular India since the 1980s. The region recorded 12.6 mm rainfall in April -- the fifth lowest since 1901 and the second-lowest since 2001. According to IMD data, the number of heatwave days this April was the highest in 15 years in Gangetic West Bengal and nine years in Odisha. Odisha also experienced the longest heatwave spell (16 days) in April since 2016. Amid the prevailing but weakening El Nino conditions, the IMD had earlier warned of extreme heat during the April-June period, coinciding with the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections. Hundreds of thousands of voters had to cope with the searing heat when they stepped out to exercise their franchise in the second phase of the elections on April 26. Polling for 94 constituencies across 12 states will take place on May 7. The weather office had earlier expected four to eight heatwave days in different parts of the country in April against a normal of one to three days. Ten to 20 heatwave days are expected against a normal of four to eight in the entire April-June period.

After Varun Tej, Venkatesh to hit campaign trail

Close on the heels of Varun Tej, who campaigned for his uncle and super star Pawan Kalyan in Pithapuram, seasoned star Venkatesh is likely to campaign in Telangana in the ensuing Lok Sabha election as he is expected to campaign for a close relative contesting from Khammam seat. Already Venkateshs elder daughter Aashritha took part in the election campaign for her father-in-law Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy, who is contesting as a Congress candidate in Khammam. Lets vote on May 13 and get our Raghuram Reddy elected, 34-year-old Aashritha said when invited to speak at a campaign meeting. Venkatesh, it is said, will campaign for Raghuram Reddy on May 7. Aashritha is married to Raghuram Reddys son Vinayak Reddy. The wedding took place at the Jaipur Palace in 2019. Rahguram Reddys father R Surender Reddy is a four-time MP, having got elected thrice from Warangal and once from Mahabubabad constituency. Venkatesh's decision to step into the political arena on behalf of the Congress party came as a surprise to many. Known for his discretion in political matters, Venkatesh's entry into the fray adds an intriguing twist. The illustrious Daggubati family boasts a legacy entrenched in both cinema and politics. Dr. D. Ramanaidu, a towering figure in the film industry, transitioned seamlessly into politics, serving as an MP for the Telugu Desam Party. However, despite his efforts, the unexpected defeat in the 14th Lok Sabha elections led the family to retreat from political engagements. While other stars like Balakrishna and Pawan Kalyan are campaigning hard for their individual seats as well as for the TDP-BJP and Jana Sena alliance candidates across Andhra Pradesh.

Hyderabad: Four arrested in Old City for mobile theft

Hyderabad: The Mirchowk Police took four individuals into custody on Wednesday in connection with a mobile theft incident that occurred at Nayapul on April 25. The complainant, Mohammed Abdul Jaleel from Khammam, reported that he was traveling from Nayapul to MGBS when the theft took place. During the auto ride, he found himself uncomfortably squeezed Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Peoples positive response prompts Telangana CM to persist with reservation issue

HYDERABAD : Encouraged by the positive response he is receiving from the people, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is keeping up his relentless attack on the BJP over the reservations issue. If sources are to be believed, the CM is getting reports from the Intelligence wing, suggesting that the people are responding positively to his criticism of the BJP. Revanth has been claiming during his election campaigns that the saffron party will scrap SC, ST and OBC reservations if it retains power at the Centre. The chief minister has sought information from the Intelligence wing. As per its reports, people are responding well whenever the CM is attacking the BJP over the reservations issue. Thats why he is raising the issue at every public meeting and during roadshows, a source said. Daily LS poll reviews Meanwhile, the CM is said to be holding daily reviews on the Lok Sabha elections, discussing the changing trends as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the Congress candidates. Revanth, who is also the president of the TPCC, is seeking reports from his party colleagues on a daily basis. Every morning, he reviews campaign activities and other election-related issues. He is also thoroughly studying the reports that he is getting from the ground level. He is also looking into internal survey reports. If he finds any drawbacks in any constituency, he is giving his suggestions to overcome them, said another source. Meanwhile, a party leader said that the Congress will have an edge in several segments while the BRS candidates will finish in third place in at least 10 seats. The party has so far conducted three surveys, covering all constituencies, after announcing the final list of its candidates. During an informal chat with the reporters, the CM said that in most constituencies, the main battle is between the Congress and BJP. Wherever the BJP is weak, like Khammam, Nalgonda and Mahabubabad, the BRS is in second place, he said.

Cong, BRS invoke NTR to attract Kamma voters in Khammam

KHAMMAM : Expecting a tough battle in Khammam Lok Sabha constituency, the Congress and BRS are invoking TDP founder and former chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh NT Rama Rao to woo Kammas, a dominant community in the segment. In fact, the leaders of these two parties are praising late NTR and his policies with the sole aim of luring the Kamma voters to their side. BRS president and former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, during a recent roadshow, described NTR as the saviour of the downtrodden and recalled how thousands of poor people benefited from his Rs 2 per kg rice and other welfare schemes introduced by him. BRS candidate Nama Nageswara Rao, who is seeking re-election from Khammam, is playing the Kamma card in an attempt to woo the voters of this community. Not to be left behind, the Congress leaders too joined the bandwagon of praising the former CM. Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy is leaving no opportunity go waste in praising NTR during public meetings and roadshows being held in the constituency. He is even demanding that the TDP founder be honoured with the Bharat Ratna. The Congress has also roped in popular actor Daggubati Venkateshs daughter Aashritha to campaign for its candidate Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy. Aashritha, who is married to Raghurams eldest son Vinayak Reddy, has been campaigning vigorously, reaching out to as many people as possible especially in high-rise apartment complexes. Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddys daughter Swapni, who is married to Raghurams second son Arjun Reddy, is also campaigning on behalf of her father-in-law. Actor Venkatesh too would be joining his daughter to campaign for Raghuram on May 7. BJP candidate Tandra relies on Modis popularity BJP candidate Tandra Vinod Rao, meanwhile, is on a whirlwind tour of the constituency, visiting even remote areas to reach out to maximum number of people. Vinod Rao, who belongs to the Velama community, is highlighting the achievement of Narendra Modi government during his campaign even while projecting himself as a local who will strive to turn Khammam into a model constituency if people give him the opportunity to serve as an MP.

Tata Motors fined Rs 10,000 for delaying refund

HYDERABAD : The District Consumer Redressal Commission, Khammam, has directed Tata Motors to pay Rs 10,000 to a woman as compensation for failing to return the amount she submitted in regard to the extension of the warranty period on her vehicle. The forum also directed the company to refund the amount Rs 20,640 that the customer paid for the service. The complainant, Maddisetti Nirmala of Khammam, said she purchased a Nexon in December 2020, on which a warranty of two years was provided. Three years later, she applied to purchase an extended warranty of another two years and paid Rs 20,640 for the same. However, a Tata Motors representative denied her application citing company policies. The extended warranty comes into force once the manufacturers standard warranty expires, which has a validity for a period of 24 months from the date of sale of the car or until it covers a distance of 75,000 km, whichever happens earlier. The commission, in its order, observed that despite rejecting the consumers request, the company did not repay the amount immediately, which amounts to a deficiency in service and unfair trade practices. It awarded the complainant, Nirmala, a compensation of Rs 10,000 and asked Tata Motors to comply with the order within 45 days from April 4, granting her the withdrawal of Rs 20,640 from the commission, which was deposited by the company.

Telanganas torrid Thursday: Temperature touches 46.6C

HYDERABAD : Telangana continued to experience torrid temperatures on Thursday, with the mercury exceeding the 46C mark in 11 districts. As per the TSDPS, Nalgonda recorded 46.6C, the highest in the state. It was closely followed by Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mulugu and Suryapet districts at 46.5C. Jagtial, Khammam and Peddapalli districts recorded 46.4C on Thursday, followed by Mahabubabad district at 46.3C. In Hyderabad, Quthbullapur recorded the highest temperature of 43.4C. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Hyderabad has predicted prolonged heatwave conditions at isolated pockets in various districts of the state, with an orange alert being issued till May 5. Prolonged heatwave conditions are likely to prevail at isolated pockets in Jagtial, Rajanna-Sircilla, Karimnagar, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem and Khammam districts. However, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are very likely to bring respite at isolated places over Telangana from May 6. The city is anticipated to experience partly cloudy skies with maximum and minimum temperatures hovering around 42C and 29C respectively for the next 48 hours. Surface winds are likely to be North-westerlies with wind speeds around 4 and 8 kmph, the IMD forecast.

East, South continue to reel under heatwave; max temperature in Telangana to hit 45C, says IMD

East, South continue to reel under heatwave; max temperature in Telangana to hit 45C, says IMD As vast swathes of east and south India continued to bake under the scorching sun on Thursday, with the mercury in two Telangana districts hitting the 44C mark; a top scientist with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) held out no hope of an immediate respite for the state, adding that the maximum temperature can reach up to 45C over the next few days. Speaking to ANI on Thursday, IMD scientist Dr A. Sravani said, The maximum temperatures in Telangana have been on an upward curve over the last few days, It has now shot up to 44C. Over the next two to three days, the heatwave that has been building up steadily will intensify further. While across the state, the maximum temperatures have been upwards of 40C over the last few days, some parts even hit 44C. Some of the state observatories have even recorded maximum temperatures in the region of 45C or more in certain areas. The eastern part of the state has recorded temperatures in excess of 43C, while two districts have seen the mercury breach the 44C-mark. The Nizamabad district saw the mercury hit 44.1C while Ramagundam in the Peddapalli district recorded 44.4C, the climate scientist added. The prevailing condition will continue over the next four days. We will issue an orange alert (heatwave warning) tomorrow. After May 5, the maximum temperature in the state could show a marginal decrease with showers, too, predicted, Sravani added. According to a post on the official X handle of the IMD, Rentachintala in Andhra Pradesh recorded the highest maximum temperature on Thursday, at 46.2C, followed by Tirupathi and Rayalaseema at 45.6C; Khammam and Telangana at 45C; Talcher in Odisha at 45C; Purulia and Gangetic West Bengal at 44.1C; Karur Paramathi in Tamil Nadu at 44C); Malda and sub-Himalayan West Bengal at 41.8C; and Forbesganj in Bihar at 41.4C. The IMD also issued a red alert for severe heatwave in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha, saying the condition was likely to persist over the next two to three days. The Met also issued an 'Orange' alert for Telangana, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh over the next 4-5 days. Further, according to the IMD, the heatwave will persist in most areas of the eastern and southern states in May, including Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. While the political temperature south of the Vindhyas has peaked amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, in several cities of Telangana, not just the people but political leaders, as well, have had to bow to the unforgiving sun. Amid the intense heatwave, leaders across political parties have been wary not to take carry out campaign-related activities during the day and have been going door-to-door and taking out rallies and roadshows before 10 am or after 5 pm. The district administration has also been running awareness campaigns among voters in the morning or evening. From party offices, shops to religious places, all establishments stay closed in the afternoon hours, with priests, aides and devotees at temples, as well as party workers choosing to stay indoors. Dr Priyanka Ala, the district magistrate of Bhadradri Kothagudem, said, Already, the temperatures in districts are in excess of 45C and we are expecting it to inch further upward to 46 or 47C on May 13, the polling day. Considering the unforgiving weather, we have decided to make special arrangements at the polling stations. One of them is AMF, which stands for Assured Minimum Facilities. We also provide adequate drinking water facilities along with toilets. We have also made special seating arrangements under the shade. Each polling station will have a minimum of two to four tents. Medical kits, including ORS, will also be arranged. Ahead of polling on May 13, the political parties as well as the district administration are making elaborate arrangements to bring the maximum number of votes to the polling stations. The parties have not only arranged auto-rickshaws to ferry voters to their designated polling booths but also cold beverages, drinking water, and tents to enable them to get their fingers inked on May 13. Special arrangements have also been made at hospitals to attend to voters should they complain of discomfort or distress on account of the prevailing heatwave on polling day. (ANI)

Battle between Telangana pride, Gujarat dominance: CM

HYDERABAD : Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said that Lok Sabha elections are a battle between Telangana pride and Gujarat dominance. Telangana pride will not bow down its head, he thundered. He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was adopting BRS chief K Chandrasekhar Raos policy to harass him. The BRS and BJP joined hands to defeat the Congress candidates in Telangana, he alleged and added: The recent Assembly elections were the semi-finals in which KCR was defeated. Lok Sabha elections are the finals in which PM Modi and BJP should be defeated. Responding to the Delhi police notice, he said: The soul of KCR seems to have entered Amit Shah. He [Shah] filed a case against me in Delhi. He sent police from Delhi to Gandhi Bhavan. If we raise questions, Delhi sultans are registering cases against us. Have I ever been afraid of cases? They are trying to scare the Congress using ED, CBI, I-T and Delhi Police. Even if you send soldiers from the borders, no one here will be afraid. video uploaded from REVANTHs phone: nadda BJP national president JP Nadda accused opposition parties of coming out with a fabricated video. Speaking at Shivamogga, he said, The sad part of it is that the fake video was uploaded on social media from Telangana CM Revanths phone. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy holds aloft an egg-shaped motif to indicate the Centres contribution to the state during a public meeting on Tuesday Wont let KCR join INDIA bloc: Revanth Revanth addressed Jana Jatara public meetings on Tuesday at Jammikunta in the Karimnagar constituency and Parkal in the Warangal segment. He also participated in a road show at Balapur and Saroornagar in the Chevella segment. KCR says that the Congress will not get 40 seats and BJP will bag about 200 seats and if BRS wins 12 seats, he will make Nama Nageswara Rao a Central minister in a coalition government. We will not let KCR join INDIA alliance. How can KCR form a government with 12 seats at the Centre? Who is he going to align with? No doubt, it would be with the NDA. KCR is hinting at joining the NDA, Revanth said and alleged that the BJP and BRS were in league and the pink party left Malkajgiri, Karimnagar, Mahbubnagar, Chevella, Bhongir and Zaheerabad to the BJP. In Khammam, Nalgonda and Medak, KCR is conspiring to ensure the defeat of the Congress candidates by joining hands with the BJP, he said. The chief minister reiterated that if Modi becomes prime minister again, he would carry out surgical strikes on SCs, STs and OBCs by abolishing reservations. While the Congress and Rahul Gandhi are promising to conduct caste census to increase funds and reservations in proportion to the population of various groups, the BJP is conspiring to scrap reservations. Modi should explain why the BJP government is reluctant to conduct OBC caste census, Revanth alleged. Why I am strongly saying that the BJP will scrap reservations is because, when I spoke about this issue, police came from Delhi. When I questioned abolition of reservations, BJP sent me a notice. Do you think I will be afraid of such things? PM Modi, Union minister Amit Shah, BJP national president JP Nadda, state party president Kishan Reddy, MPs Bandi Sanjay and Dharmapuri Arvind should remember that KCR harassed me for 10 years by unleashing police, Vigilance, ACB and other wings. They filed cases against me and sent me to jail. After all this, what happened? People sent KCR home. BJP is also adopting the KCRs policy. Revanth Reddy accused the BJP of cheating and insulting Hindus and Hindu culture and rituals. Before 15 days of Lord Ram Kalyanam in Ayodhya, BJP leaders and activists distributed Akshintalu. Have Akshintalu ever been distributed anywhere before the Kalyanam? By doing this BJP insulted Hindus and Lord Ram. He alleged that the BJP was using Lord Ram for political benefits. We are Hindus, but we will not use Hindutva for the sake of votes.

INTERVIEW | People are waking up to Congresss lies, theyll vote for BRS in LS polls: Nama Nageswara Rao

BRS Khammam candidate Nama Nageswara Rao claims that the people of Telangana are angry with the Congress government as it failed in all aspects. In an exclusive interview with TNIEs B Satyanarayana Reddy, the incumbent MP says that the people have now woken up to the lies of the Congress and they have decided to vote for the BRS in the Lok Sabha polls looking at the track record of the pink party in implementing multiple welfare and development initiatives. Stating that his political values are sincerity and integrity, the former BRS floor leader in the Lok Sabha said he brought in thousands of crores from the Centre for the development of Khammam in the last 10 years. Excerpts from the interview How is your campaign going on and what kind of response have you been receiving from he people? The peoples response has been very positive. Theyve come to realise that the Congress came to power by deceiving them. During my campaigning, people have been expressing their grievances against the Congress government for failing to fulfil the promises it made to them. Farmers, in particular, reminisce about the days when the BRS was in power and how the then chief minister [K Chandrasekhar Rao] had extended schemes like Rythu Bandhu. What strategies are you employing to seek votes? When I interact with the people, I explain to them how the Congress has betrayed them by not fulfilling the promises, including `15,000 under Rythu Bharosa, Rythu Bharosa for podu lands, 10 grams of gold for under the Kalyana Laxmi scheme, `4,000 pension and financial assistance for unemployed youth. I also highlight the dire situation faced by farmers, with crops drying up in the erstwhile Khammam district due to water shortage, and the governments failure to address these issues. What were your achievements during your 10-year tenure as Khammam MP? During my tenure, I managed to bring `10,000 crore funds for the development of the constituency. I played a crucial role in securing approvals for `8,000 crore worth of national highway projects around Khammam. Before my term, there was no four-lane road from Khammam to Suryapet. Before that, numerous accidents used to occur on the existing two-lane road. Through persistent efforts, including writing 120 letters to the Union government, we finally completed the road, due to which people are now able to travel safely on this route. Additionally, I advocated for and facilitated the construction of a new railway line from Bhadrachalam to Kovvur, which has been completed up to Sathupalli. I have also played a major role in the completion of several railway under and over bridges in the district. I also secured funding for various works under the MGNREGS and Prime Minister Sadak Yojana schemes. Due to these efforts, Khammam and Madhira railway stations have also been developed. How is the support from the party high command, and what role are local leaders playing in your campaign? The party is extending complete support in all aspects. Local leaders from all the seven Assembly segments, including Puvvada Ajay Kumar, Tata Madhu, Kandala Upender Reddy and Vanama Venkateswara Rao, along with former MLAs, are actively participating in my campaign. They are vigorously campaigning and working towards ensuring my victory. The people are aware of the welfare schemes implemented by the BRS and they have decided to cast their votes for the BRS. Are you optimistic of retaining the Khammam seat? I firmly believe that I will win with a significant majority. This isnt just my claim. This is the sentiment among people.

PM Modi looted nation, KCR plundered Telangana, says Bhatti

KHAMMAM : Asserting that the people of Telangana were frustrated with the lies of BRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Tuesday said the voters drove the former chief minister away to bring Indiramma Rajya in the state. Addressing a meeting at Kusumanchi, he claimed that KCR spread lies during his campaign programme in the district on Monday. The BRS was built on a foundation of lies. Whenever KCR opens his mouth, only lies come out, Vikramarka opined. He also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led Union government are ruling the country using lies and fabricated stories. The deputy chief minister claimed that the prime minister was giving the countrys wealth and resources to crony capitalists. In the last 10 years, Modi stole the nations wealth while KCR looted the states resources, he added. Drawing a comparison between the prime minister and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Vikramarka said that while the former wants to destroy the Indian Constitution, the Wayanad MP wants to ensure equitable distribution of wealth and protect democracy. He urged the locals to vote for party Khammam candidate Raghuram Reddy and elect him by a huge margin. Days after the CPM announced its decision to support the Congress in the state, party state secretary Tammineni Veerabhadram predicted that Raghuram would be elected from Khammam and the grand old party would win all seats in Telangana.

Faulty motorcycle: TVS asked to pay Rs 10,000, provide bike service

HYDERABAD : The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Medak, has ordered the TVS company to pay a compensation of Rs 10,000 to a man from Khammam along with repairing his motorcycle after finding negligence of service on the companys part. In a one-of-its-kind case, Mohammed Irfan bought a TVS Jupiter bike in March 2019 for Rs 70,500, adding that the vehicle was running smoothly up to initial 30,000 km, after which the speed surprisingly started to drop down to 10 to 15 km per hour. Noting that the situation could have led to a fatal accident, Irfan added that the issue did not get resolved despite sending the vehicle to a local service centre multiple times, which concluded that it has a manufacturing defect. TVS said that the vehicle didnt have any manufacturing defect citing the fact that it had run smoothly for the first 30,000 km and demanded an experts inputs to verify the claims. As a result, the Commission turned to an expert, who initially claimed that the vehicle was perfect in speed and denied getting it dropped. But the complainant argued that the issue was taking place occasionally. Based on his experience, the expert later indicated that the issue might be happening due to the electrical fault in the vehicle. While the bench ruled out manufacturing defects, it observed negligence of service on the part of TVS owing to poor management in handling the issue. It ordered the company to repair the motorcycle and pay a compensation of `10,000 within 45 days from April 4.

LS polls 2024: EC increases polling time in Telangana in view of heat wave

The new timing will also be applicable in five assembly segments of the Adilabad Lok Sabha seat, three of Peddapalle seat, six of Warangal (SC) seat, three of Mahabubabad (ST) seat and five of the Khammam Lok Sabha seat, the Election Commission said in its notification

ECI extends polling hours in most booths in Telangana by an hour

HYDERABAD : Barring Maoist-affected Assembly constituencies in the state, the ECI has decided to increase the polling hours in 17 Parliamentary Constituencies by an additional one hour (from 7 am to 6 pm). A notification to this effect was issued by the ECI on Wednesday. The decision to extend the polling time on May 13 was made at the request of the Telangana Chief Electoral Officer to increase the voter turnout in 106 Assembly segments of 17 Parliamentary constituencies. This decision was prompted by representations received from various political parties and contesting candidates, as well as the prevailing hot summer and severe heat wave situation in the state. The Lok Sabha constituencies where polling will be held from 7 am to 6 pm include Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Zaheerabad, Medak, Malkajgiri, Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Chevella, Mahbubnagar, Nagarkurnool (SC), Nalgonda, and Bhongir. In addition, polling in five Assembly constituencies of Khanapur (ST), Adilabad, Boath (ST), Nirmal, and Mudhole falling in the Adilabad Lok Sabha constituency, as well as three Assembly constituencies of Dharmapuri (SC), Peddapalle, and Ramagundam of the Peddapalli (SC) Lok Sabha constituency, will also be conducted between 7 am and 6 pm. Similarly, in six Assembly constituencies of Station Ghanpur (SC), Palakurthi, Parkal, Warangal West, Warangal East, and Wardhannapet (SC) falling in the Warangal (SC) Lok Sabha constituency, polling will take place between 7 am and 6 pm. Three Assembly constituencies of Dornakal (ST), Mahabubabad (ST), and Narsampet falling in the Mahabubabad (ST) Lok Sabha constituency will also have polling hours extended from 7 am to 6 pm. Additionally, five Assembly constituencies of Khammam, Palair, Madhira (SC), Wyra (ST), and Sathupally (SC) falling in the Khammam Lok Sabha constituency will see polling between 7 am and 6 pm. In the Maoist-affected 13 Assembly constituencies of Sirpur, Asifabad, Chennur, Bellampalli, Mancherial, Manthani, Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Pinapaka, Yellandu, Bhadrachalam, Kothagudem, and Aswaraopeta, polling will be held from 7 am to 4 pm as per the notification issued last month. DATA IN A NUTSHELL Parliamentary segments: 17 (SC-3, ST-2, General-12) Total Nominations filed: 1,488 Numbers of candidates who filed nominations: 893 Total number of nomination papers rejected : 428 Total number of nominated candidates : 625 Candidates withdrawn : 100 Contesting candidates: 525 (475 males & 50 females) Number of segments that require three ballot units: 7 Number of segments that requires two ballot units: 9 Number of segments that require one ballot unit: 1 Employees drafted for election duty: 2,79,519 Total seizures: Rs 212 crore, (Cash: Rs 81 crore, Liquor: Rs 46 crore, drugs & narcotics: Rs 26 crore, precious metals: Rs 30 cr freebies and other items: Rs 27 crore Number of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) companies allotted: 155. Additional CAPF companies requested: 66. Police personnel from other states: 20,000 Number of complaints received on voter helpline 1950: 1227 Total electorate in the state 3,32,32,318 (Male voters: 1,65,28,366, female voters : 1,67,01,192, transperson voters: 2,760) Senior citizens: 1,93,754, PwDs : 5,27,486. Voters aged between 18 to 19 years : 9,20,313, Service voters: 15,970 Total number of polling stations: 35,809. Constituency with highest number of Polling Stations: Malkajgiri (3226) Auxiliary polling stations: 453 Ballot units: 1,09,941 Control units: 44,906 VVPATs: 50,135 Critical polling stations: 9,900 Percentage of Distribution of Voter Information Slips completed : 47 percent Total number of cases filed : 7,185 Prohibition and excise : 6,560, narcotics & drugs: 287, IPC Cases: 309, RP Act: 29. No. of 12D applications received for home voting : 24,974 Number of 12D applications accepted: 23,248 (Senior citizens 10,362, PwDs 11,032, Essential Services 1,854) Home voting from May 3 to 6 Expenditure observers: 34 General observers: 17 Police observers: 9

Man concealed with currency bundles on his body, caught in Khammam

Khammam police seized unaccounted cash and gold articles from a person ahead of elections. The items were concealed in custom-made clothes, leading to intensified checks on highways. Legal actions are pending based on investigation outcomes.

Fake deals, job offers major cybercrimes in Telangana districts

HYDERABAD : The intricate web of cybercrime feeds not only in the urban centres but also beyond the city borders, preying on unsuspecting victims. Outside the city limits, the modus operandi takes on a distinct flavour, with perpetrators alluring in the name of small-scale tasks and believable ones like credit and debit card reward points, enticing customers with irresistibility. The loss of amount may differ sometimes depending on the modus operandi and the cybercrime offences that have been taking place in the districts and villages. Explaining the kinds of modus operandi the fraudsters come up with, a police official said, Mobile phone deals on platforms like OLX sometimes are a good grab. These schemes are coupled with the deceptive promise of government initiatives such as the Pradhana Mantri Janata Yojana, luring innocent people into a web of deceit. The officer added, Cyber criminals also employ tactics such as setting up fake mobile or cell phone towers and exploiting the housing market by duping property owners with false rental agreements. Unemployment is another complexity added to the current situation where graduates from BTech colleges in areas like Suryapet and Nalgonda are suffering losses. Many young graduates find themselves falling victim to fraudulent job offers. In a recent case in Khammam, a BTech student himself resorted to the crime and was apprehended. The accused, Parepally Sai Krishna, had completed his BTech and was surviving with a small time business. In lieu of earning easy money, he used to send messages to HoDs of different colleges introducing himself as the student of the college and manipulate them into providing jobs for the students. He was contacted by three students where he promised jobs and asked them to pay Rs 35,000 to reserve the slot and Rs 35,000 after they receive their first salary. However, he escaped with the amount after three students paid him. In response to this, authorities have taken proactive measures to combat cybercrime head-on. Telangana State Cyber Security Bureau (TSCSB) SP Deendra Singh said, The establishment of six specialised Cyber Security Police Stations across the state, equipped with a dedicated team of law enforcement personnel, marks a significant step in the fight against digital threats. Led by Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) and supported by one Inspector, two Sub-Inspectors, and 20 Constables, these stations are dedicated towards tackling cybercrime with efficiency. Furthermore, the rollout of District Cybercrime Coordinator Centres (D4Cs) across all districts in the state serves as a testament to the collaborative effort to combat cyber threats at the grassroots level. The officer added, These specialised Cyber Security police stations are taking up cases in which victims suffer a loss of Rs 1 lakh or more and hand over the case to respective police stations. Meanwhile, the CCPS along with D4Cs are taking up awareness programmes every Wednesday and are going around colleges, schools and villages to shed knowledge on the ongoing digital crime and ways to stay cautious. CCPs have recently been opened in Nizamabad Siddipet Medak Ramagundam Warangal Khammam D4Cs inaugurated at Adilabad Bhadradri Kothagudem Jayashankar Bhupalapally Jogulamba Gadwal Karimnagar Kamareddy Kumurambheem Asifabad Mahbubnagar Mancherial Mulugu Nagarkurnool Nalgonda Narayanpet Peddapalli Rajanna-Siricilla Sangareddy Suryapet Vikarabad Wanaparthy

Why is PM not acting against Telangana govt for collecting 'Revanth Reddy' tax, asks KCR

KHAMMAM : On the day that Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a potshot at the ruling Congress in the state alleging that the money collected through RR (Revanth Reddy) tax is being channelled to the party high command in New Delhi, BRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao questioned why the former was hesitant to take action against the state government for reportedly collecting illegal commissions. He asserted that the Congress and the BJP are the same entity working together to defeat the BRS in the state. Addressing a street corner meeting in Kothagudem, he said that while Modi was bada bhai, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy was the chota bhai. Attacking the state government, the former chief minister said that the Congress-led administration was yet to fulfil its pre-election promises even though four months have passed since it assumed charge. Additionally, he alleged that the chief minister was not objecting to Modis purported plan to divert Godavari river waters to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. If KCR was in power, no one would have dared to even dream of such a thing, he opined. Free bus scheme leading to suicides The BRS supremo claimed that owing to the free bus travel scheme for women extended by the Congress government, many auto-rickshaw drivers were losing out on earnings and resorting to suicide. He urged the locals to vote for the BRS to ensure that their issues are resolved. The previous BRS government protected the Singareni Collieries Company Limited from the clutches of the BJP government. Modi tried to hand over the coal mines to his business friends but we objected to this and protected the mines, KCR said. Alleging that the BJP was fanning communal tension across the country, the former chief minister said that the saffron partys rule under the leadership of Modi has been abysmal. Addressing the gathering, BRS candidate Nama Nageswara Rao appealed to the people to elect him from Khammam and allow him to raise their issues in Parliament. A lot of development was carried out under the BRS regime but the Congress has failed in all aspects, he opined. Mahabubabad candidate M Kavitha and other party leaders also participated in the event. Govt suspending power staff to hide mistakes BRS MLA T Harish Rao on Tuesday criticised the government over its alleged failure to provide uninterrupted electricity supply in the state and suspending innocent employees to cover up its mistakes. These employees should teach the Congress a lesson in the Lok Sabha elections, the former minister added. Addressing a meeting with autorickshaw drivers, the Siddipet MLA claimed that 28 drivers have died in the state after the Congress assumed power in December. Terming the BJP an anti-workers party, Harish alleged that the saffron party was colluding with corporates to enable the violation of workers rights. Claiming that the BJP-led Centre had ignored the issues of the poor, he claimed that the Union government has resorted to robbing the country at behest of Ambani and Adani

Vote for Congress in LS Elections for Protect Democracy: Bhatti Asks People

Khammam: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Tuesday asked the people to vote for the Congress in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections for the protection of democracy and the Constitution. Speaking at a meeting with Congress party leaders. Bhatti said that the BJP government was trying to weaken the democratic system and conspiracing to create division among the people in the name of religion. He accused the Narendra Modi government of giving free hand to the Adani and Ambani groups to loot the wealth of the nation. Rahul Gandhi walked from Kashmir to Kanyakumari to explain the failures of the Modi government to the people, he said. Referring indirectly to the comments made by BRS president K. Chandrashekar Rao during his road show at Khammam, the Congress leader said that the construction of pucca houses for poor and permanent measures to avoid the closure of hostels of the universities would be taken up by the state government after the completion of the code of conduct of Lok Sabha elections. Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said that Khammam has been a stronghold of the Congress for the last 10 years due to the commitment of the party workers in the district. The wave of the Congress would continue in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, he said. He asked the Congress rank and file to strive to make the party candidate for Khammam Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy win in the Lok Sabha elections with the highest majority. Addressing party leaders and workers, Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy said he would spend more time serving the people of Khammam in the next five years, if he was voted to victory by the people of the Lok Sabha constituency in the elections. Agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, Rajya Sabha member Renuka Chowdary and District Congress Committee (DCC) president P. Durga Prasad also attended the meeting.

KCR Asks Modi to Probe His Allegation of 'RR tax' in Telangana

KOTHAGUDEM: BRS president K. Chandrashekar Rao on Tuesday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi order an inquiry into the RR Tax that industrialists were forced to pay in the state. Modi had spoken about the RR Tax earlier in the day. Modi should order an inquiry into his grave allegation of RR tax, if it is true, the BRS chief said. He questioned why the enforcement directorate and income-tax department were not swung into action to probe it yet. Speaking during his roadshow in Kothagudem, Rao said both the Congress and the BJP were working with an understanding in the state and were enacting such dramas for the Lok Sabha elections. A vote for the Congress or the BJP would have no difference and would be of no use, he added. He asked the people to vote for BRS candidates as only his party could fight for rights and self-respect of Telangana. He alleged that Modi had conspired to divert the water of Godavari river to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka at the cost of Telanganas interests. It is a life and death issue to us, he said. He also criticised Revanth Reddy for keeping silent on Modis plan. Rao alleged that Revanth Reddy was insensitive to the death and illness of the students in residential schools due to consumption of adulterated food. He also criticised the Chief Minister for his reported plan for cancellation of some newly-formed districts. Bhadradri- Kothagudem district was also in this list, he added. Free travel facility to women in TSRTC buses, which was launched by the Congress government, had made autorickshaw drivers lose livelihood and some of them committed suicide due to financial problems, he deplored. Stating that the then BRS government had extended special incentive and bonus to workers of Singareni Collieries, the BRS chief said that he stood strong to protect Singareni Collieries when he was the Chief Minister. When Modi asked the BRS government to purchase coal imported by Adani Group from Australia, Rao said he rejected his proposal saying Singareni Collieries could cater to the needs of the state. BRS Khammam candidate Nama Nageswara Rao and Mahbubabad BRS candidate Malothu Kavitha participated in the roadshow.

Agitated Congress posting fake videos of Shah,' says Nadda

MAHABUBABAD/KHAMMAM/HYDERABAD: Describing the Congress-led INDIA bloc as an alliance of corrupt parties, BJP national president JP Nadda said that the grand old party indulges in vote bank politics while the saffron party works for development of the nation. The Congress has become so agitated that it is posting fabricated videos of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah on social media to mislead the public, he said. Nadda addressed a series of meetings and roadshows in the state on Monday. Addressing a public meeting at the NTR Stadium in Mahabubabad, he hit back at the INDIA bloc for making baseless allegations against the BJP on various issues. It is an alliance of corrupt political parties. They dont have a prime minister face. They dont have any agenda. But in the BJP, we have an able and visionary leader in Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We are going forward with a clear vision. We are seeking votes in the name of development. We are asking people to ensure that the BJP achieves a hat-trick and continues to provide good governance, he said. Answer Telangana on steel, railway plants before visit: Revath to Modi The BJP chief also promised to develop the Mahabubabad Lok Sabha constituency. The BJP will develop the Mahabubabad Railway Station, allocate Kendriya Vidyalayas for the segment and also develop the Mahabubabad and Dornakal municipalities, he said. In the last 10 years, the Modi government has sanctioned and built four crore houses for the poor. We are going to construct three crore more houses in the future. The Union government has provided free gas connections to 19 crore households under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, he said while appealing to the people to vote for the BJP Mahabubabad candidate A Seetaram Naik. BRS deceived TG, its people Addressing another public meeting held in Kothagudem in support of the partys Khammam candidate Tandra Vinod Rao, Nadda asserted that a strong government would be again formed at the Centre under the leadership of Modi. He expressed confidence that both Vinod Rao and Seetaram Naik will win their respective seats with a huge majority. Targetng the BRS, he said: During their 10-year rule, the BRS indulged in corruption and perpetrated many scams. KCRs daughter Kavitha was jailed in Delhi liquor scam. Criticising the Congress, he said: The Congress government failed to fulfil the promises it made to the people of Telangana. Now, we are seeing its inefficiency. The BJP under the leadership of Modi has placed the country on the path of progress. Highlighting the Centres contribution to Telangana, he said: Under the smart city programme, the Centre has allocated funds worth ` 2,500 crore to Warangal, Karimnagar and Siddipet. Country safe under Modi Later in the evening, Nadda also held a roadshow in the Malkajgiri segment. Addressing the gathering, he said: The Lok Sabha elections will help the BJP realise the Viksit Bharat vision under Modis guidance. Stating that the country is safe under the leadership of Modi, he said: Soldiers stationed at the borders were ordered not to retaliate unless instructions came from New Delhi. But Modi, the day he took oath as the prime minister, declared that if shots are fired anywhere on the border, firing should not stop till the place is cleared. Vote out BJD, prevent outsider rule: JP Nadda in Odisha poll rally

Telangana LS polls: 100 withdraw papers, 525 candidates in fray

HYDERABAD: With around 100 aspirants withdrawing their nominations on Monday, a total of 525 candidates are now in the fray in the Lok Sabha elections in Telangana. The state goes to polls on May 13, 2024. Most of the 625 validly nominated candidates who withdrew their nominations were independents. The Secunderabad constituency with 45 candidates has the highest number of contestants followed by Medak (44), Chevella (43), Peddapalli (42) and Warangal (42). The least number of contesting candidates are from Adilabad Lok Sabha seat with 12. The highest number of withdrawals are from Malkajgiri with 15 followed by Bhongir (12), Medak and Nalgonda (9 each); the least withdrawals are from Secunderabad and Adilabad (one each), Nagarkurnool and Mahaboobabad (2 each), Nizamabad and Chevella (3 each). As many as 15 candidates are in the fray for the Secunderabad Cantonment Assembly byelection, which will be held on May 13. Telangana requires an additional ballot units of 40,000 for the Lok Sabha elections. Barring Adilabad (SC), the remaining 16 segments require more than one ballot unit as more number of candidates are contesting the polls. There are around 35,808 polling stations in 17 LS constituencies. According to election officials, in nine LS constituencies, two ballot units and one control unit will be required and in seven LS constituencies, three ballot units and one control unit would be required. The Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) comprise two units a control unit (CU) and a balloting unit (BU). EVMs can cater to a maximum of 64 candidates, including NOTA. There is provision for 16 candidates in one ballot unit. If the total number of candidates exceeds 16, a second balloting unit can be linked in series to the first balloting unit. Adilabad Lok Sabha, which has around 2,200 polling stations, will require only one BU unit as only 12 candidates are in the fray. In nine seats, more than 16 candidates and less than 32 candidates are contesting the polls where two balloting units are required for voting purpose. The constituencies include Karimnagar (2,194 polling stations), Nizamabad (1,808), Malkajgiri (3,228), Hyderabad (1,944), Zaheerabad (1,973), Mahbubnagar (1,937), Nagarkurnool (2,057), Nalgonda (2,061) and Mahabubabad (1,809). In seven Lok Sabha seats, more than 32 candidates and less than 48 candidates are in fray. Here three balloting units are required and these constituencies include Peddapalli (1,850), Medak (2,124), Secunderabad (1,810), Chevella (2,877), Bhongir (2,141), Warangal (1,900) and Khammam (1,896 PS).

Telangana: IMD issues heatwave warnings as temperatures continue to soar

HYDERABAD: Mercury levels continued to remain above 45C on Monday, adding to the summer woes of pre-existing dry and hot weather that the state is reeling under. As per the Telangana State Development and Planning Society, Nalgonda recorded the highest maximum temperature of 45.5C, followed by Mulugu at 45.1C, while Nalgonda also experienced heatwave conditions across three mandals. Hyderabad also recorded the highest maximum temperature of 43C in Jubilee Hills, Moosapet and Rajendranagar. As per the IMD, as weather systems moved away from the state, temperatures would increase and dry weather is very likely to prevail. The IMD said that heatwave conditions were likely to prevail for the next five days in the districts of Nalgonda, Khammam, Rajanna Sircilla, Suryapet, Mahbubabad, Warangal, Hanamkonda, Janagaon, Siddipet, Yadadri Bhuvangiri, Kamareddy, Mahbubnagar, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy, Narayanpet, Jogulamba Gadwal, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalapally, and nearby areas. The IMD has issued an orange warning for high temperatures in the range of 41-44C across the state for the next five days. The city will experience a maximum and minimum temperature of 43C and 30C respectively, with south-easterly winds of 6-10 kmph.

Coalition government will be formed at Centre: KCR

Khammam: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) President K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday said that he believes that a coalition government will be formed at the Centre as the BJP will not even get 200 seats in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Addressing a road show here while campaigning for BRS candidate Nama Nageswar Rao for Khammam Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Khammam: Man Arrested for Poaching in Reserve Forest

Khammam : Forest department officials on Monday arrested a person for illegal hunting of wild animals at a reserve forest at Kacharam of Yerrupalem mandal of Khammam district. The alleged poacher, Martha Srinu, 50, from Kacara village was carrying two kg of sambar deer meat and some snares, according to district forest officer Siddharth Vikram Singh.

Modi striving for Viksit Bharat: Nadda

Hyderabad, Warangal: BJP president J.P. Nadda said that the upcoming Lok Sabha election was not intended to elect just BJP MPs but was aimed at achieving Viksit Bharat under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing a huge road show in Nizampet in Hyderabad, Nadda said that people of the country were in despair before BJP came to power at the centre. The country is now in safe hands and there have been no cross-border terror incidents and the country is poised to become the third biggest economy. The jawans at the border used to wait for instructions from Delhi to return fire. After Modi took over the reins, he gave clear instruction to jawans at the borders not to stop firing till the enemy at the border is crushed if any cross border firing takes place. The firm stand by Modi had sent a strong message to Pakistan and now no Pak-sponsored terror incidents are taking place, Nadda said while people cheered with `Modi hai to mumkin hai. The efforts of Modi to promote Make in India, has provided employment to lakhs of youngsters and the country has become self-reliant in several sectors, Nadda said and asked why Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy was turning the other side to Indias growth story. A large number of women took part in the road show. People showered flowers from the rooftops as the campaign chariot carrying Nadda, BJP state president G. Kishan Reddy, Malkajgiri Lok Sabha candidate Etela Rajender, BJP floor leader Aleti Maheshwar Reddy and others. At a meeting at Kothagudem in Khammam district in support of BJP nominee in Tandra Vinod Rao and another one at Mahbubabad in support of Prof Azmeera Seetharam Naik, Nadda said the ten-year rule of Modi had helped the country to develop across all sectors. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana scheme, BJP constructed around four crore houses for the shelter-less poor families. They will construct an extra three crore houses in the coming days. It distributed around 80 crores free ration cards to the poor people. Under the Ujwala Yojana scheme, the BJP government distributed 10 crore gas connections and provided free medical treatment worth `5 lakh under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, he explained. The railway station in Mahabubabad will be developed along with the establishment of Ekalavya schools and Kendriya Vidyalayas. Dornakal and Mahabubabad municipalities will be upgraded and developed along with economic corridors in Telangana, he promised. Unlike the Congress party, the BJP does not indulge in vote bank politics. All the prime ministerial candidates of I.N.D.I.A. bloc are in jail, they do not know who is going to be their Prime Minister if at all the alliance clinches a majority, he said. He appealed to the people to vote for party candidates Tandra Vinod Rao and Prof. Azmeera Seetharam Naik and register victories in the Khammam and Mahabubabad parliament constituencies with a bumper majority each.

Strengthen BRS and Protect Your Interests: KCR Tells Khammam People

Khammam: BRS president K. Chandrashekar Rao on Monday asked the people to vote for his party candidates in the ensuing Lok Sabha election to give strength to the party to fight for the protection of their interests. He conducted a road show in Khammam in support of party candidate Nama Nageswara Rao and addressed a public gathering at the ZP Centre. He said that a Union minister and three BJP MPs from Telangana kept quiet when Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed to divert Godavari water to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu with a project at Itchampally. He (Rao) did not accept the proposal and made it clear that this could not be achieved in his lifetime. The BJP leaders from Telangana also maintained silence when a union minister asked the people of the state to consume broken rice when BRS leaders met him and sought procurement of paddy from the farmers like in the past. He said that BRS only had the commitment to fight for the states share in Krishna and Godavari rivers. Stating that BJP would not win more than 200 Lok Sabha seats in the ensuing elections, he predicted that there would be a coalition government at the Centre. If Nageshwar Rao is elected to the Lok Sabha, then he would get a berth in the union cabinet. This will help development of the area, he added. He exuded confidence that BRS would win 12 Lok Sabha seats. Averring that Congress never bothered about welfare of the poor people, Rao praised N.T. Rama Rao while saying that real welfare of the poor people began with the NTR government. Rao claimed that his government had taken up welfare schemes more effectively than those taken up by the NTR government. He criticised the Congress government for adding to the hardships of farmers. Nama Nageswara Rao, Jangon MLA Palla Rajeshwar Reddy and former MLA Puvvada Ajay Kumar also participated in the road show.

Lok Sabha Polls: Women's Representation Remains Low in Telangana

Hyderabad : In the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Telangana, women's representation continues to lag, with only six women candidates from major parties vying for seats. Among the prominent parties, including BJP, BRS, and Congress, the number of women in the electoral fray remains low. The Congress party has nominated three women candidates, while BJP and BRS have fielded two and one respectively. Out of the total 51 candidates from major political parties, women make up a mere 12 percent. Congress has fielded Patnam Sunitha Reddy for the Malkajgiri constituency and Kadiyam Kavya for Warangal and Athram Suguna for Adilabad. BJP's nominees include Komeplla Madhavilatha for Hyderabad and DK Aruna for Mahabubnagar parliamentary constiruency. BRS, on the other hand, has fielded Malothu Kavitha as its sole female candidate for Mahabubabad. Reflecting on past Lok Sabha Elections, the trend of low female participation persists. In the 2014 elections, only one woman contested, K Kavitha from BRS, who clinched victory from Nizamabad. In 2019, while the number slightly increased, it remained inadequate. Kavitha contested from Nizamabad again and Maloth Kavitha from Mahabubabad, Renukha Chowdhury from Congress in Khammam, and DK Aruna from BJP in Mahabubnagar. Bangaru Shruthi from BJP also contested from Nagarkurnool.

Telangana ministers reiterate commitment to implementing six guarantees

KHAMMAM: Ministers Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy and Thummala Nageswara Rao on Sunday said that the government was making arrangements to implement the crop loan waiver by August 15. They added that the Congress-led administration was fully committed to implementing assurances such as the disbursal of Indiramma houses and pensions. Both the ministers took part in a meeting with party activists at Sattupalli. They urged the party cadre to work hard to ensure that Rahul Gandhi gets the chance to become the countrys prime minister and ensure all-round development. Stating that the partys Khammam candidate comes from a service-oriented family, the ministers also asked the party workers to put in efforts for the victory of Raghuram Reddy from the segment. Hitting out at the Union government, the ministers said the respect for India has reduced in foreign countries due to the actions of ruling party leaders. Stating that the BJP has failed to implement assurances under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, they claimed that about 800 farmers died in the last 10 years. Alleging that the BRS turned the state into a pauper, the ministers appealed to the people to vote for Raghuram Reddy.

Mercury levels to soar above 45Celsius, heatwaves likely in Telangana

HYDERABAD: The IMD said that the state is likely to experience heatwaves as temperatures are expected to soar above 45Celsius in the next three days. As per an IMD report, a cyclonic circulation over Maharashtra and south Chhattisgarh has become less marked and the state will experience light to moderate rains at isolated places for next two days, after which dry weather will prevail. The IMD said that heatwave conditions are very likely to prevail in 21 districts including Adilabad, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Jagtial, Rajanna Sircilla, Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalapally, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Mahbubababad, Warangal, Hanamkonda, Mahbubnagar, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy, Narayanpet, Jogulamba Gadwal districts for next three days till May 1 and a partial yellow and orange alert has been issued for possible severe and extreme heatwave conditions. Hyderabad is likely to experience a partly cloudy sky with maximum and minimum temperatures of 40.9Celsius and 28.7Celsius respectively, for the next 48 hours. As of Sunday, Nalgonda recorded the highest maximum temperature of 45.4Celsius, followed by Bhadradri Kothagudem nad Mulugu at 45.3Celsius and Jayashankar Bhupalpally at 45.2Celsius, as per the Telangana State Development and Planning Society (TSDPS). The maximum temperatures statewide remained above 42Celsius in all the 33 districts and Hyderabad recorded the highest maximum temperature of 43.1Celsius in Charminar.

Congress candidate seeks support of CPI (M) leaders in Khammam Lok Sabha constituency

Mahabubabad: Campaigning under spectre of violence

KHAMMAM: In the backdrop of the recent deadly encounter in Chhattisgarh, candidates vying for the Mahabubabad Lok Sabha seat are treading carefully while campaigning as they face the looming threat of Maoist violence, particularly in the Maoist-affected areas of Bhadrachalam and Pinapaka. The candidates former Union minister P Balaram Naik of the Congress, Maloth Kavitha of the BRS and Prof Seetaram Naik of the BJP are nevertheless continuing their campaign by avoiding known Maoist dominated areas. The spectre of Maoist violence has cast a shadow over their campaigning, especially after a recent encounter in the Kanker district of Chhattisgarh that resulted in the death of 29 Maoists. Intelligence reports indicate a heightened risk of attacks on political figures. With just about a fortnight remaining for campaigning to end, only Balaram Naik of the Congress has dared to visit the Maoist-affected Dummugudem mandal, albeit under heavy security. I have no fear of visiting the agency area as people would protect me, he said, expressing confidence in his partys welfare agenda. Meanwhile, security forces are closely monitoring the situation. Bhadrachalam ASP Parotosh Pankaj stressed the need for candidates to adhere to strict security protocols. All candidates have been instructed to conclude their campaigns by 5 pm daily and notify the authorities two days in advance of their campaign plans. Candidates must obtain clearance from local police officials before venturing into Maoist-affected villages, with additional security arrangements available upon request, the ASP said.

Tight vigil at interstate checkposts in Khammam

Mighty Coronavirus Too Failed To Affect Politicians Income

Hyderabad: The Covid-19 lockdown had affected crores of people, with no salary or reduced salary. With customers remaining confined to their homes, it pushed lakhs of businesses into losses and many shut down. However, some politicians seemed to have bucked the trend. A perusal of affidavits filed by politicians contesting the Lok Sabha elections show that their income was not affected by the pandemic. In fact, it significantly grew between 2019-20 and 2022-23, the Covid years. The total income shown by M. Raghunandan Rao (BJP, Medak) was Rs 9.97 lakh in 2019-20 and Rs 19.18 lakh in 2020-21, a jump of nearly Rs 10 lakh. In 2021-22, his income was Rs 4.89 lakh, after exempting Rs 27.6 lakh constituency allowance. In 2022-23, his income was Rs 1.33 crore, according to the election affidavit. B. Vinod Kumar (BRS, Karimnagar), showed an income of Rs 11.41 lakh in 2018-19. In 2019-20, it increased to Rs 19.48 lakh and surged to Rs 33.42 lakh in 2020-21. In 2021-22, his income was slightly less Rs 33.28 lakh and Rs 33.13 lakh in 2022-23. The income of Velichala Rajender Rao (Congress, Khammam) income rose from Rs 1.65 crore in 2018-19 to Rs 2.36 crore in 2019-20. Konda Vishweshwar Reddy (BJP, Chevella) saw his income dip from Rs 21.45 crore in FY 2019-20 to Rs 4.65 crore in 2022-23 but his assets increased significantly. Vishweshwar Reddy declared his family assets, including those of wife Sangita Reddy and son Viraj Reddy, at Rs 4,568 crore. G. Ranjith Reddy (Congress, Chevella) showed an income of Rs 3.6 crore in 2019-20 and Rs 5.12 crore in 2020-21.

950 candidates to race for 17 MP posts from Telangana

Tirupati district as political parties are accusing their rivals of manipulations in the electoral rolls for the 2024 general elections. (Representational DC Image) Tirupati district as political parties are accusing their rivals of manipulations in the electoral rolls for the 2024 general elections. (Representational DC Image) Hyderabad: The returning officers on Friday allowed the nominations of around 950 candidates, which include those filed by candidates belonging to major political parties. They rejected the nominations of at least 400 candidates till 11 pm on Friday. Scrutiny of nominations is still going on. As many as 1,488 candidates have filed nominations in 17 Lok Sabha constituencies in Telangana. Out of 114 nominations were filed in Adilabad, 91 nominations were accepted and 23 were rejected. Key contestants are Congress candidate Athram Suguna, BJP candidate G Nagesh and BRS candidate Athram Sukku. In Chevella, 88 nominations were filed. Out of which, 10 nominations were accepted by the ROs. In Bhongir, a total of 114 nominations were filed. Out of this, 91 were allowed and 23 rejected. The key candidates are Congress candidate Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, BJP candidate Boora Narsaiah Goud and BRS candidate Kyama Mallesh. In Hyderabad, a total 85 nominations were filed. While 58 of them were accepted, 27 were rejected. Congress candidate Mohammed Waliullah Sameer, BJP candidate Madhavi Latha and AIMIM candidate Asaduddin Owaisi are key contestants. In Karimnagar, 94 nominations were filed. Of which, 64 nominations were allowed and 30 nominations were rejected. In Khammam, 56 nominations out of a total 72 were accepted, while 16 were rejected. In Malkajgiri, RO received 177 nominations. Of which, 62 were accepted and 92 were rejected. In Secunderabad, a total of 75 nominations were filed. Sixty-two nominations were accepted and 13 were rejected. In Nalgonda, 63 nominations were accepted and 51 nominations were rejected. The total nominations received in this constituency stood at 114.

Hyderabad Sees Temperature Rise of Above Seven Degrees from Last Year

Hyderabad: Even as the India Meorological Department has warned of a heat wave till April 29, temperatures are already surging in the state. As per data provided by the TS Development Planning Society, Nelakondapalli in Khammam and Nidamanoor in Nalgonda recorded the highest temperature of 45. In the GHMC limits, Jubilee Hills recorded a high of 43C on Thursday, an increase of 6C on on the same day in 2023. Serilimgampally, Secunderabad and Chandanagar also recorded a temperature of more than 42.8CV. Without any exception all the circles recorded higher temperatures of around 5C above those recorded on the corresponding day last year. Gajularamaram circle which recorded the lowest temperature of 40.8 degrees this year recorded a jump of 5C last year. Commenting on the situation Dr K. Nagaratna, head scientist, IMD-Hyderabad said, Heat has been above normal from December itself because of the El Nino effect. Temperatures were three to four degrees above normal compared to last year even in March. The heat wave started from the first week of April. El Nino refers to the warming of surface waters in the southern Pacific Ocean, which impacts, among others, the climate in India. The temperature data indicates urban areas are more prone to the heat wave. A rise of 7C in the heat is alarming. This will affect homeless people and affect crop yield as cautioned by scientists. We could see how mango trees which flowered well experiencing a fall in yield owing to the heat, said Donthi Narasimha Reddy, a public policy expert and environmental activist, giving one example of the direct impact of higher temperatures. The rise in ambient temperature by 7C when scientists are talking of 1.5C rise at the global level is alarming. Calling for a government action plan, Narasimha Reddy said, It should take steps for increasing green cover, stop destruction of lakes, destruction of hillocks for gravel for use in laying roads and construction industry.

Konda Vishweshwar Reddy Is The Richest Candidate With Rs 4,560 Cr Net Worth

Several Lok Sabha candidates in Telangana, as per their affidavits submitted during the nomination process, are revealed to be crorepatis. Notably, Chevella BJP candidate Konda Vishweshwar Reddy tops the list with assets totaling more than Rs 4,560 crores. According to the affidavits, among the 17 Congress candidates, 12 have declared assets in excess of 10 crores, while 13 BJP candidates and 10 BRS candidates have also declared assets surpassing Rs 10 crores. Chevella Constituency garners significant attention as the wealthiest candidates from major political parties are trying their luck from this constituency. Interestingly, BJP candidate Bharat Prasad from Nagarkurnool has the lowest assets, totaling Rs 33.85 lakhs, including those of his family. Notably, his father Ramulu currently serves as the sitting MP from Nagarkurnool Lok Sabha Constituency. Warangal Congress party candidate Kadiyam Kavya has disclosed assets worth Rs 1.55 crores, whereas BRS candidate RS Praveen Kumar from Nagarkurnool has declared assets amounting to 1.41 crores. Candidates with more than Rs 100 crore in Assets are the following: Constituency Party Candidate's Name Net Worth (in Cr.) Chevella BJP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy 4568.22 Chevella Congress Dr. Ranjith Reddy 435.49 Chevella BRS Kasani Gnaneshwar 228.47 Hyderabad BJP K Madhavi Latha 221.40 Khammam BRS Nama Nageswara Rao 155.90 Zaheerabad BJP BB Patil 151.69 Bhongir BRS K Mallesh 145.34 Nizamabad BJP Dharmapuri Aravind 109.90 The deadline for filing nomination papers was Thursday, April 25.

I am son of the soil, asserts BJP candidate for Khammam Lok Sabha constituency T. Vinod Rao

Sweltering heat to persist in Telangana; rains might bring relief

HYDERABAD : The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Hyderabad on Thursday issued a yellow alert predicting heatwave conditions in Telangana till Monday. However, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely to bring respite at isolated places in the state from Saturday. Heatwave conditions are likely to prevail at isolated pockets in Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Mahbubnagar, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy, Narayanpet and Jogulamba Gadwal districts. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 3040 kmph are very likely to occur at isolated places in Adilabad, Kumurambheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Jagtial, Rajanna-Sircilla, Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu and Kamareddy districts. In Hyderabad, maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 41C and 27C, respectively, with partly cloudy skies and wind speeds at 4 8 kmph. On Thursday, Nalgonda district recorded the states highest maximum temperature of 44.9C. According to the Telangana State Development Planning Society (TSDPS), the maximum average temperature in the state during the day is 41.1C against the 40.4C normal. Within Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits, the highest maximum temperature of 42.9C was recorded in Medchal-Malkajgiri. Within the limits of the GHMC, the maximum average temperature during the day is 40.8C against the 39.8C normal.

Congress confident of securing Khammam, Mahabubabad seats

KHAMMAM : Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy and Agriculture Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao on Thursday asserted that the Congress candidates will secure the Khammam and Mahabubabad Lok Sabha seats with a huge majority. The duo, along with Rajya Sabha MP Renuka Chowdhury, participated in a roadshow as part of Khammam candidate Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddys poll campaign. People of Telangana supported the Congress in the Assembly elections. They are satisfied with the governance of Congress in the state. They have now decided to support the Congress in the Lok Sabha elections too, the ministers said. The leaders of the Left parties too participate in the rally which attracted thousands of followers from across the Khammam constituency. The rally which started at Kalvoddu ended at the collectors office where Raghuram Reddy filed his nomination. Nageswara Rao said: The BRS is conspiring against the Congress candidates. But they wont succeed in their attempts. After the Lok Saba elections, the BRS will disintegrate. Meanwhile, Raghuram Reddy thanked AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi for supporting him. People understood that the BRS neglected their issues. They knew how the BRS perpetrated several scams. Now, they have seen how the Congress is working to develop the state. Thats why they are ready to support the Congress candidates in the Lok Sabha polls, he said.

11 dead in three separate road accidents across Telangana

WARANGAL/SURYAPET/SANGAREDDY : Celebrations turned into a tragedy when four Intermediate second-year students, all aged 19, died after a two-wheeler they were riding collided with a private bus on the outskirts of Yellanda village on the Warangal-Khammam highway late on Wednesday. Sources said that the boys were returning to Yellanda in Warangal district from Hanamkonda where they had gone to celebrate the completion of their Intermediate studies. The victims have been identified as P Ganesh, M Siddhartha, V Teja and P Anil Kumar, all hailing from Yellanda. Siddhartha and Anil were students of Wardhannapet government junior college while Teja and Ganesh studied at a private junior college in Hyderabad. While three of the victims died on the spot, the fourth succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment at the MGM Hospital in Warangal. The impact of the collision was such that the bodies of the students were strewn across the highway. The accident resulted in a traffic jam stretching over one km on the highway. Police shifted the bodies to MGM Hospital for a postmortem examination. Wardhannapet S-I A Praveen Kumar said that a case has been registered under IPC Section 304(A) and an investigation is underway. Elsewhere in Durgapuram village of Kodad mandal, six people died and four others sustained injuries when the car they were travelling in crashed into a stationary lorry on the highway. The victims were identified as N Chandar Rao (55) and his wife Manikyamma (50), N Krishamraju (30), N Swarnakumari (20), J Srikanth (30) and Lasya (4). They were residents of L Govindapuram village of Bonakal mandal in Khammam district and were on their way to Vijayawada from Hyderabad. The four injured persons were shifted to Kodad area hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, a 33-year-old man was burnt alive after the car he was travelling in rammed a lorry near the Muthangi toll plaza in the wee hours of Thursday and caught fire.

BJP will scrap reservations by 2025 if it wins: Telangana CM

HYDERABAD : Alleging that the BJP and RSS have declared a war on the Constitution with the aim of scrapping reservations for SC, ST and OBC communities, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday said that the saffron party was hoping to win 400 seats to implement this agenda. The BJP is trying to win 400 seats so that it gets two-thirds majority in Lok Sabha. This will enable it to pass a Bill scrapping the reservation system. The RSS has a policy to abolish quotas by 2025, as mentioned by its leaders on numerous occasions, the chief minister alleged. The TPCC president was speaking after releasing a chargesheet against the BJP and its 10-year rule at the Gandhi Bhavan in Hyderabad along with AICC in-charge Deepa Dasmunshi, co-in-charge Rohith Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, TPCC working president Mahesh Kumar Goud, ministers Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, Konda Surekha, Ponnam Prabhakar and others. Warning the people that voting for the BJP would contribute to abolition of the reservation system in the country, the chief minister said that if the saffron party gets even a single seat in Telangana, it would deprive them of their rights. This election is a battle between upholding reservations and their abolition, Revanth said. He recalled that the BJP opposed implementation of the Mandal Commission report that recommended reservations for OBCs. At that time, its senior leader LK Advani toured the country in a rath spreading communal hatred so that attention was diverted from reservations, Revanth alleged. Whats in Cong chargesheet BJP accused of betraying Telangana by forcibly merging 211 villages of Khammam into AP BJP did not implement a single assurance as mandated in AP Reorganisation Act, like setting up of Bayyaram Steel Plant, Kazipet railway coach factory & 2,400 MW NTPC plant, alleges Cong What the Congress chargesheet said For every rupee of tax paid, Telangana gets back only 43 paise. In contrast, BJP gives Rs 7.06 to Bihar, Rs 2.73 to Uttar Pradesh, Rs 2.63 to Assam, and Rs 2.42 to Madhya Pradesh BJP did not release Rs 4,000 crore GST compensation due to Telangana, Rs 24,205 crore recommended by NITI Aayog and Rs 1,800 crore grant for the development of backward districts The saffron party did not allocate a single rupee to Telangana in the 202425 budget. It did not allocate even a rupee to the Mulugu Tribal University or the Turmeric Board at Nizamabad Allocated Rs 1,000 crore for Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh but only Rs 3.14 crore for the Sammakka Sarakka Jatara No assistance when Telangana faced floods. It did not help even when Hyderabad was devastated by severe floods in 2020 In 2023, BJP gave Rs 1,420.80 crore to Maharashtra, Rs 707.60 crore to Odisha, Rs 624.40 crore to Bihar, and Rs 584 crore to Gujarat under disaster relief funds, but neglected Telangana Caused severe loss to Telangana farmers by preventing the state from getting its rightful share of Krishna river waters Lakhs of jobs lost due to privatisation of public sector enterprises like BHEL, BSNL, LIC, BDL, HAL and DRDL, which were established by the Congress in Hyderabad Did not grant national project status to any irrigation project in Telangana, including the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme Telangana lost 13.9 lakh jobs and Rs 2.19 lakh crore in investments as a result of BJP cancelling the ITIR project given by Congress Abandoned Hyderabad-Warangal, Hyderabad-Nagpur Industrial Corridors, Fab City, Sileru Power Project, establishment of Narayanpet Handloom Park and revival of Adilabad Cement Factory Did not establish a single new airport, dry port or industrial park in Telangana Did not develop Warangal and Karimnagar as smart cities, did not give even one IIM, IIT, Central University or Medical College to Telangana. BJP is privatising coal mines allocated to Singareni by the Congress government. Auctioned Kalyan Khani, Koyagudem, Sattupalli and Shravanapalli coal blocks BJP failed in construction of railway lines on Manoharabad-Kothapalli, Bhadrachalam Road-Sathupally, Peddapalli-Nizamabad and Medak-Akkannapet routes, doubling of Secunderabad-Mahbubnagar, Mudkhed-Medchal railway lines, and third railway line on the Kazipet-Vijayawada routes Did not sanction a single Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya to Telangana since 2014. Discrimination against Telangana in establishment of Sainik Schools and Kendriya Vidyalayas Modi exploiting handloom sector via GST: Revanth The chief minister asserted that it was the responsibility of Congress leaders to explain to the people the failures and conspiracies of BJP in the last 10 years of its rule. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of miserably failing to fulfil his promise of creating 20 crore jobs in 10 years and providing only seven lakh jobs instead. The TPCC chief blamed the BJP government for the spiralling prices of essential commodities and adding to the burden of the common man. He alleged that there was rampant exploitation in industries from handloom to cottage industries, all in the name of GST. Revanth also accused Modi of imposing GST even on basic items like matchboxes and soaps. Stating that the people of the country have been burdened with a debt of Rs 168 lakh crore in the last 10 years due to the Modi government borrowing Rs 113 lakh crore, Revanth accused the prime minister of handing over assets built by successive Congress governments over 60 years to corporates within a decade.

1,350 Nominations filed for Lok Sabha Polls in TS

HYDERABAD: Approximately 1,350 candidates from the Congress, BRS and BJP and independents filed their papers at 5 pm on Thursday, deadline for nominations for the May 13 Lok Sabha elections in the state. Many independents filed nominations to draw the attention to their issues. No candidate from the transgenders filed their nominations. Malkajgiri topped with 151 nominations including G. Narahari, an independent, who wanted to highlight that parties had unethically offered seats to candidates. Tamil Nadu-based Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, which fights for Dalits issues, offered a seat to Anjaneyulu Manchiti to contest from Malkajgiri. Number of Madiga community candidates filed nominations for Bhongir. An independent, G. Anil Kumar, said that parties had failed to offer seats to the community which he said had 50 lakh voters. Ninety nominations were filed for the Nizamabad seat. Independent candidate Rapelly Srinivas said that he had entered the fray to raise voice for bidi workers. Box: Total nominations filed (Approximately) Malkajgiri-- 151 Bhongir-- 103 Karimnagar--89 Nizamabad--90 Nalgonda--114 Pedapalli-- 100 Secunderabad--60 Warangal--89 Medak-70 Khammam-72

Khammam Congress Candidate Files Nomination

Khammam: Congress candidate for Khammam Lok Sabha constituency Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy on Thursday filed his nomination papers with the returning officer V Gowtham in the district Collectorate at Khammam, He reached the district collectorate in a huge rally, which was also attended by ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and Tummala Nageswara Rao, Rajya Sabha member Renuka Chowdary and CPI leader Kunamneni Sambhasiva Rao. Speaking to the media after filing his nomination, Raghuram Reddy thanked the Congress high command for providing him the opportunity and recalled his long association with Khammam as his native place Chegomma was in the district. Stating that the policies of the BJP government at the Centre have created troubles for the general public, he reminded that prices of petrol and diesel had increased on umpteen occasions in the last 10 years, which had adversely impacted prices of essential commodities. There is a need for a Congress government. The BRS government had made a mess of the administrative system, he added. Minister Srinivas Reddy urged all party workers to strive for Raghuram Reddys win.

Its RRR josh in Khammam

Hyderabad: A large number of Congress leaders and activists took part with enthusiasm in the rally organized to file nomination papers by the Khammam Parliament constituency party candidate Ramasahayam Raghurama Reddy (RRR) in the district on Thursday. Hundreds of activists participated in the rally with their bikes and auto rickshaws. The rally was taken out from Kalvoddu to the Collectorate office. Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, Rajya Sabha member Renuka Chowdhary, MLAs and other senior leaders accompanied Raghurama Reddy to file the nomination papers. CPI MLA K Sambasiva Rao was also present on the occasion. In a tweet, Srinivasa Reddy said, A new josh was seen among the party leaders and activists during the rally. Its RRR josh in Khammam district and at the same time, Left party leaders extended their support.

Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Graduates' MLC By Election on May 27

Hyderabad: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday has issued a by-election schedule to Telangana Legislative Council from Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Graduates' Constituency. The election will be held on May 27. As per the schedule, the poll notification will be issued on May 2 and the last day for the filing of nomination papers is on May 9. The seat fell vacant after Palla Rajeshwar Reddy was elected as an MLA from Jangaon assembly constituency. Congress party declared Chinthapandu Naveen aka Teenmar Mallanna as their candidate for the by-poll.

Telangana: Four killed in road accident near Warangal

WARANGAL: In a tragic incident, four youth were killed in a road accident on Wednesday midnight. The incident took place at the Yellanda village outskirts on the Warangal-Khammam highway under the Wardhannapet Police Station Limits. The deceased were identified as P Ganesh, M Sidhu, V Teja and P Anil Kumar; they were all residents of Yellanda village. Police said that the deceased P Ganesh along with his three friends went on a single two-wheeler to Hanamkonda city to celebrate after knowing that he has passed the Intermediate Public Examination 2024. While returning from Hanamkonda, a speeding private travel bus coming in the opposite direction rammed their two-wheeler on the outskirts of Yellanda village. Three died on the spot, while the fourth succumbed to injuries at MGM Hospital in Warangal. Upon information, police personnel's rushed to the spot and shifted bodies to Community Health Centre (CHC) for a postmortem. The incident has led to a traffic jam for over one kilometre on the Warangal-Khammam highway. A case has been registered and an inquiry is on.

Four Telangana students celebrating exam success killed in accident

Hyderabad: Four intermediate students, returning after a party to celebrate their success in exams, died in a tragic road accident in Warangal district of Telangana, police said. The accident occurred around midnight on the outskirts of Wardhannapet town on Warangal-Khammam highway when the bike which they were riding collided with a private bus coming from []

Congress allots Khammam ticket to Ponguletis kin

HYDERABAD/KARIMNAGAR: The Congress on Wednesday announced candidates for the remaining three Lok Sabha segments on the eve of the last day of filing nominations for the Lok Sabha elections. As expected, the party nominated Velichala Rajender Rao for Karimnagar, Mohammed Waliullah for Hyderabad and Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy for Khammam constituency. The three candidates have already filed nominations hoping for party tickets. Interestingly, Raghuram Reddy is a close relative of minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and film actor Daggubati Venkatesh who hails from the dominant Kamma community in the district. It appears that the party strategically chose him expecting him to bag the votes of both Reddy and Kamma communities in the constituency. Meanwhile, the Congress reportedly pacified Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka who lobbied the Khammam seat for his wife before finalising the name of Raghurama Reddy. The party also announced the candidature of Chinthapandu Naveen, who goes with the sobriquet of Theenmar Mallanna, for upcoming byelection for Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda graduates constituency. Out of the 17 Lok Sabha seats, the Congress gave tickets to seven Reddy candidates, one each from Velama, Adivasi, Lambada and Muslim communities and three each from SC and BC castes. Aligireddy too files nomination Two days after Rajender Rao filed his nomination papers as the Congress candidate from Karimnagar Lok Sabha constituency, former MLA Aligireddy Praveen Reddy too submitted his papers on Wednesday. On behalf of Praveen, his follower Managa Ramachandram filed a set of nomination papers, leaving the party cadre in a state of confusion. Meanwhile, Rajender Raos wife Rekha filed two sets of nomination papers on Wednesday. Praveen reportedly asked his follower to file nomination on his behalf a day after Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said that Rajender Rao filed his papers only receiving the approval of the AICC. Speaking to TNIE, a supporter of Praveen said: During the Assembly elections, Praveen aspired for Husnabad ticket. But the party promised to give him an MLC post or allot ticket for the Karimnagar Lok Sabha constituency. It may be mentioned here that the Husnabad ticket was allotted to Ponnam Prabhakar. Meanwhile, Rajender Rao has intensified his campaign in the constituency. His wife Rekha too is carrying out door-to-door campaign in villages across the Karimnagar mandal.

Telangana: CRPF officer dies as AK-47 rifle goes off

KHAMMAM: A 47-year-old assistant commandant of the CRPF 81 battalion was killed in a gun misfire near the Pusuguppa base camp in Cherla mandal on Wednesday. According to a release, the deceased, MV Seshagiri, along with other personnel, went to Oldpusuguppa, situated one kilometre away from the base camp, on a routine visit. While returning, the company had to cross a canal. When Seshagiri, who was carrying his AK-47, jumped to cross the obstacle, it misfired and the bullet ended up going to his chest, the release said. While the rescue team and other staff shifted him to the Bhadrachalam Area Hospital by ambulance, the doctors declared him brought dead. After learning about the incident, Kothagudem SP B Rohith Raju, Bhadrachalam ASP Paritosh Pankaj and other officials rushed to the spot. DGP Ravi Gupta had visited the Pusuguppa base camp along with other officials a few days ago. The release said Seshagiri was a native of Ananthapuram and had been at the base camp for a year. He is survived by his wife and two children.

CM Revanth Reddy challenges KCR to debate on KLIS

HYDERABAD: Wondering if the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) was an engineering marvel as claimed by the previous BRS government, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday challenged his predecessor K Chandrasekhar Rao to a debate on the irrigation project at the Medigadda barrage in the presence of experts, public intellectuals and people of Telangana. Addressing his second meeting of the day at Warangal, he said, The Kaleshwaram project, which you (KCR) built by investing your brain, has collapsed. Did you design the Kaleshwaram project while you were intoxicated? If you have guts and honesty, come for a debate. The TPCC chief also criticised the BRS supremo for not attending the Assembly session and alleged that the latter does not have the courage to face the truth. The Leader of Opposition, who has 10 years experience of serving as chief minister, chose not to attend the session and forgo the chance to speak on peoples issues as he was afraid of the Congress government questioning his loot for 10 years. KCR does not have the courage to come to the Assembly and look into my face. However, he leisurely goes to a TV channel and sits there for four hours, Revanth said. Panel to probe klis from today Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose, heading a judicial commission that will probe into the irregularities and corruption allegations in KLIS construction, will start from Thursday. The one-man panel will first interact with Irrigation officials. Ghose has sought more information from officials on KLIS. He is set to visit Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages on Friday Cong announces tickets for 3 seats The Congress announced the candidates for the pending three Lok Sabha segments on Wednesday. The party has nominated Velichala Rajender Rao from Karimnagar, Mohammad Waliullah from Hyderabad and Raghurama Reddy from Khammam. It also nominated Chinthapandu Naveen (Teenmar Mallanna) for Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Graduates constituency bypoll A leader like Kadiyam only improves Congs stature: Revanth Accepting the challenge to implement crop loan waiver by August 15, he asked BRS MLA T Harish Rao to remain ready with his resignation letter. Stating that though KLIS was constructed with `1 lakh crore, Revanth asserted that the main components such as Medigadda, Sundilla and Annaram were damaged and remained defunct. On nominating Kadiyam Kavya for the Warangal Lok Sabha seat, the TPCC president said that he sent senior party leaders to meet Station Ghanpur MLA Kadiyam Srihari with a request to join the Congress. If a leader like Kadiyam Srihari, who is sincere and renders services to the people, joins the Congress, my image and the partys stature would grow. I sent a proposal for an MP ticket to Kavya. Earlier, he might have not agreed to such a proposition, but at a time when the BJP is planning to remove reservations for SCs/STs and change the Constitution, he obliged to our proposal, Revanth said. Earlier in the day, the chief minister filed the nomination along with Congress Secunderabad candidate, Danam Nagender. Speaking on the occasion, Revanth slammed BJP leaders for not developing the segment. Stating that BJP leaders Bandaru Dattatreya and G Kishan Reddy have become Union ministers after being elected as MP from the Secunderabad Lok Sabha seat, the chief minister asked if they had brought any funds from the Centre to develop the region.

'Will quit politics if CM waives crop loan,' says Harish Rao

KHAMMAM: Former Minister T Harish Rao on Wednesday said that if Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy waives farm loans up to Rs 2 lakh by August 17, he would resign from his post. I will quit politics permanently if Revanth waives crop loans by August 17, said Harish. The former minister called on Revanth to accept the challenge by coming to the Telangana martyrs memorial on Friday to take an oath. Addressing BRS leaders from Khammam at a resort here, he criticised the four months of Congress rule, citing group politics, insults and abuses among party members. Harish alleged that while people of Khammam suffer from lack of drinking water and farmers struggle with lack of water for cultivation, Congress leaders are preoccupied with seeking tickets in Delhi. BRS Khammam candidate Nama Nageswara Rao accused that the Congress of doing injustice to BCs.

Telangana: Five students die by suicide after failing in examinations

ADILABAD/KHAMMAM/HYDERABAD: Hours after the TSBIE announced the final examination results on Wednesday, four Intermediate first-year students and one second-year student hanged themselves to death from ceiling fans in separate cases. The students reportedly took their lives because they had failed in one or more subjects. The police have registered cases. In the first case, a 16-year-old girl, Vakadhani Vaishali, who failed in mathematics (Part B) paper, killed herself at her residence in Mudigonda mandal headquarters in Khammam district. In the second incident, an 18-year-old Intermediate first-year student, G Tejaswani, studying at Alphores Junior College in Mancherial, hanged herself at her residence on Wednesday. The girl reportedly took the extreme step after she failed in both parts of the mathematics paper. In the third incident, 18-year-old M Sathvik killed himself by hanging in Tandur mandal in Mancherial district after he failed in one of the subjects. He was studying at Pragathi Junior College in Bellampalli. In the fourth case, a 16-year-old student residing in Hyderguda reportedly died by suicide. The victim along with her family had gone to a family function and returned to their home by 12.30 pm, the police said. However, they had seen the results and knew that she had failed in a paper. After reaching their house, the girl locked herself in a room and did not respond although her parents called her to come out. Around 3 pm, the parents broke the door, with the help of a neighbour, and found her body. In the last case, a 17-year-old boy allegedly died by suicide by hanging himself from a tree in Kollur village on Wednesday after he came to know that he had failed in a subject in the intermediate public examination. The victim, who was a single child of two farmers, was depressed that he did not clear his papers and ran away from his home to the village outskirts, the police said. He then called his friend over the phone and told him that this would be his last call from his phone, before taking the extreme step.

Suryapet: 6 Persons Die, Two Injured in Road Accident

Suryapet: Six persons died and two were seriously injured in a road accident on National Highway No. 65 at Durgapuram of Kodad mandal in the district on Thursday morning. The accident occurred when a car, traveling from Hyderabad to Vijayawada, collided with a stationary lorry due to a breakdown. About 10 persons were traveling in the car at the time of the accident. The deceased were identified as Jella Srikanth, Manikyamma, Chander Rao, Krishna Rao, Swarna, and Lasya, natives of Govindapuram in Bonakal mandal, Khammam district. The injured have been shifted to the government hospital in Kodad for treatment. More details awaited.

Congress Names Candidates for Pending 3 LS Seats, Raghuram Reddy is Khammam Candidate

Hyderabad : The Congress on Wednesday named candidates for Khammam, Karimnagar and Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituencies, a day before the window for the filing of nominations for Lok Sabha elections shuts on April 25. The party high command announced the candidature of Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy, a son of former Warangal MP R. Surender Reddy for the Khammam Lok Sabha seat, Velichala Rajender Rao for Karimnagar and Mohammed Waliullah Sameer for Hyderabad. Rajendar Rao is the son of former MLA Velichala Jagapathi Rao. He contested on a Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) ticket in the 2009 LS polls from Karimnagar and came third with more than one lakh votes. He subsequently joined the Congress. Mohd Waliullah Sammer is the president of Hyderabad District Congress Committee. The filing of nominations for the Lok Sabha polls commenced on April 18. But the Congress kept the names of the candidates for three seats pending till April 24, giving anxious moments to party leaders and cadre as the deadline to file nominations is April 25. Interestingly, all these three candidates filed nomination papers in respective constituencies on Tuesday itself even though the party high command did not declare their candidature. The delay was on account of the Khammam Lok Sabha seat for which there was heavy competition between ministers. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka sought ticket for his wife Nandini, revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy sought ticket for his brother Ponguleti Prasad Reddy and agriculture minister Tummala Nageshwar Rao sought ticket for his son Tummala Yugandhar. The party high command finally opted for Raghuram Reddy and denied the ticket to all the kin of all the ministers to end the deadlock. Raghuram Reddy, however, happens to be a close relative of Srinivas Reddy. He is the father-in-law of Srinivas Reddys daughter Swapni Reddy.

Congress finally clears pending names

Party stalwart Ramasahayam Surender Reddys son gets nomination from Khammam Lok Sabha constituency

Congress finally clears pending names

Party stalwart Ramasahayam Surender Reddys son gets nomination from Khammam Lok Sabha constituency

Congress announces candidates for remaining 3 seats in Telangana

Hyderabad: A day before the deadline for filing nominations for next months Lok Sabha polls in Telangana, the Congress announced its candidates for the remaining three seats in the state. The Central Election Committee announced the candidates for Khammam, Karimnagar, and Hyderabad, ending weeks of uncertainty. With this, the party has announced candidates for all Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Congress names candidates for three LS seats in Telangana

HYDERABAD: The ruling Congress in Telangana on Wednesday night named its candidates for the Khammam, Hyderabad and Karimnagar Lok Sabha seats where the party has not announced its nominees so far. April 25 is the last date to submit nominations. With this announcement, the Congress has declared candidates for all the 17 seats in Telangana. #ElectionsWithTNIE | The long wait is finally over! AICC releases the candidates names for Karimnagar, Khammam and Hyderabad constituencies. @NewIndianXpress @XpressHyderabad @Kalyan_TNIE @santwana99 @naveen_TNIE #LokSabhaElections2024 #LokSabhaElections #Hyderabad pic.twitter.com/F0MpxMz1hP Sri Loganathan Velmurugan TNIE (@sriloganathan6) April 24, 2024 Congress named R Raghuram Reddy, Mohd Waliullah Sameer and Velichala Rajender Rao as its candidates from Khammam, Hyderabad and Karimnagar respectively. Competing claims by senior party leaders in the state is reportedly the reason for the delay in the announcement of candidate from Khammam. Buoyed by its victory in the Assembly polls held in November last year, Congress is hoping to win a majority of the 17 seats in the Lok Sabha polls. Polling would be held in Telangana on May 13.

Amidst polls, cold war again erupts between ministers in Revanth Reddy cabinet

HYDERABAD: At a time when the Lok Sabha elections are underway, reports of tension among some ministers in the Cabinet led by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy have set alarm bells ringing in the Congress. According to sources, ticket distribution is being seen as the cause of the tension as some ministers had been lobbying hard for nominations to their close ones. Also, there are reports of one-upmanship in the upper echelons of the Telangana Congress resurfacing, escalating into what can only be described as a cold war within the ranks. Revanths recent remarks have only exacerbated the existing tensions, further dividing the already strained relationships among the ministers, insiders say. They say that the repercussions of these remarks are palpable at a time the party is fending off a tough challenge from the BJP and the BRS. The delay in finalisation of the ticket for the Khammam Lok Sabha constituency has escalated the tension. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy are both lobbying for tickets for their relatives. This has led to a standoff that threatens to damage unity in the party. The fact that the third minister from the erstwhile district, Thummala Nageswara Rao, too is keen that his son Yugandhar is given the ticket has added fuel to the fire, paving the way for a rivalry that could impact the upcoming elections in a major way. Similar tensions are unfolding in North Telangana, where long-standing rivalries between ministers have resurfaced. Despite attempts to portray unity in public, old animosities remain unresolved, Congress insiders say. The announcement of candidates has actually reignited some feuds, they said. Divisions within the party ranks are becoming increasingly apparent, as ministers openly align with different candidates. In fact, the situation is such that one of the ministers from the region is supporting a candidate while another is supporting a party leader who has been given a nominated post. This is inadvertently forcing the party cadre to choose sides, hurting the party. In Nalgonda, Revanths comments about Komatireddy Venkat Reddys leadership abilities have sent shockwaves through the party. The remarks have not only raised fears of a cold war between Venkat and other senior party leaders, but have also turned the focus on power dynamics within the Congress. Party veterans fear that some leaders who opposed Revanths leadership before the Assembly elections may take offense at the remarks. Revanths comments have also left senior ministers wondering about their logic and timing, especially when they consider themselves to be more deserving for the post. The chief ministers remarks have also given ammunition to the BJP, as evident from the comments of BJPLP leader Aleti Maheswar Reddy. The BJP leader said that Revanth is likely to go to jail in the vote-for-cash case which the Supreme Court will start hearing in July. Maheswar Reddy said that if this happens, Venkat will become the chief minister. Amidst the political turmoil, candidates are left in a state of anxiety, unsure of how the escalating tensions will impact their electoral prospects while the party cadre are on the edge.

Congress Mahabubabad candidate campaigns in Maoist-affected areas

KHAMMAM: Local police were on their toes as Congress Mahabubabad candidate Balaram Naik, accompanied by Agriculture Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao, campaigned in the Maoist-affected Dummagudem mandal on Tuesday. The duo also held a meeting with party cadre at Gangolu village in the mandal. Speaking on the occasion, Nageswara Rao urged the cadre to work hard to ensure Balaram Naiks victory in the Lok Sabha elections. Urging the people to support him in the elections, Balaram said: Support the Congress candidates so that Rahul Gandhi can become the prime minister. Later in the day, Balaram and Nageswara Rao visited tribal villages and interacted with the locals. Bhadrachalam MLA Tellam Venkata Rao and other leaders were present on the occasion.

SCR Announces Cancellation, diversion and Rescheduling of Trains

Visakhapatnam : The South Central Railway has announced the cancellation, diversion and rescheduling of trains due to non-interlocking works for the commissioning of the 3rd line between Bona Kalu-Chinta Kani-Pandillapalli and Errupalem-Tondalagopavaram-Madhira stations over the Kazipet-Vijayawada section. Diversion of trains: Diversion via Vijayawada-Duvvada-Vizianagaram-Rayagada-Raipur-Nagpur: Train No. 20805 (Visakhapatnam-New Delhi) and Train No. 20806 (New Delhi-Visakhapatnam) will be diverted from their existing routes to pass through Vizianagaram, Rayagada, Titlagarh, Raipur, and Nagpur. Stoppages will be eliminated at Anakapalle, Samalkot, Rajahmundry, Tadepalligudem, Eluru, Vijayawada, Khammam, Warangal, Peddapalli, Ramagundam, Sirpur Kagaznagar, Balharshah, and Chandrapur stations. Train No. 20803 (Visakhapatnam-Gandhidham) and Train No. 20804 (Gandhidham-Visakhapatnam) will also follow this diverted route, with Stoppages were eliminated at certain stations. Diversion via Vijayawada-Duvvada-Vizianagaram-Rayagada-Raipur-Nagpur: Train No. 18519 (Visakhapatnam-LTT) and Train No. 18520 (LTT-Visakhapatnam) will be diverted through Vijayawada-Guntur-Pagidipalli-Secunderabad route instead of the existing route via Kazipet. Stoppages will be eliminated at Kazipet station. Similarly, other trains like Train No. 18045 (Shalimar-Hyderabad), Train No. 18046 (Hyderabad-Shalimar), Train No. 11019 (CSMT-Bhubaneswar), and Train No. 11020 (Bhubaneswar-CSMT) will be diverted via this route, with specific stoppages eliminated. Diversion via Vijayawada-Guntur-Nandyal-Guntakal-Ballari: Train No. 18112 (Yeshvantpur-Tata) will follow this diverted route with stoppages eliminated at Raichur, Yadgir, Chittapur, Tandur, Vikarabad, Lingampalli, Secunderabad, Moula Ali, Warangal, and Khammam stations. Elimination of stoppages: Stoppages at Madhira Station for certain trains, including Train No. 11020 (Bhubaneswar-CSMT Konark Exp), Train No. 12861 (Visakhapatnam-Mahbubnagar Exp), and Train No. 12862 (Mahbubnagar-Visakhapatnam Exp) will be eliminated on specific days. Rescheduling of trains: Additionally, there will be rescheduling of trains, including Train No. 20833 (Visakhapatnam-Secunderabad Vande Bharat) and Train No. 20834 (Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat) with varying reschedule times at Visakhapatnam and Secunderabad stations on specific dates. The South Central Railway advises passengers to check updated schedules and plan their travel accordingly, considering the diversions and rescheduling of train services due to the ongoing non-interlocking works.

Ranjith has Rs.256 Crore Assets

Hyderabad : With April 25, the final date for filing nominations for the May 13 Lok Sabha elections, approaching, 80 per cent of leaders of prominent parties have filed their papers. On Tuesday, Chevella MP G. Ranjith Reddy filed his first set of papers from the same constituency, Congress leader Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy from Khammam and BRS MP Maloth Kavitha from Mahbubabad. Ranjith Reddy in his affidavit declared assets of Rs.256.29 crore. In 2019, he had listed assets worth Rs.102.85 crore. The properties of his wife G. Seetha Reddy tripled from Rs.60.6 crore in 2019 to Rs.179.04 crore, he said. The couple does not own any vehicle. His liabilities increased from Rs.14.77 crore in 2019 to Rs.20.39 crore while those of his wife fell from Rs.4.92 crore to Rs.2.62 crore. He said he and his wife had investments in land, buildings, shares, bonds and debentures. Congress leader Raghuram Reddy listed assets of Rs.44.49 crore and liabilities of Rs.9.23 crore. He said he owned commercial buildings, agricultural and non-farm land as well as shares BRS Maloth Kavitha declared assets of Rs.4.15 crore while her husband Maloth Bhadru has assets worth Rs.41.75 crore. Her immovable properties are worth Rs.1 crore. She has no liabilities while her spouse has a debt of Rs.10.15 lakh. Meanwhile, in the run-up to the elections, different agencies have seized cash, liquor, drugs and freebies worth around Rs.155.85 crore till April 21. A total of Rs.61.11 crore cash, Rs.28.92 crore worth liquor, drugs valued at Rs.23.87 crore as well as gold and silver worth Rs.19.16 crore have been seized. The value of freebies including laptops, cookers and saris has been put at Rs.22.77 crore.

Congress Finalises Candidates for Key Lok Sabha Seats in Telangana

Mr Reddy said the bus yatras being taken up by TPCC in two phases had received overwhelming response in all districts with good support from students, farmers and women. Mr Reddy said the bus yatras being taken up by TPCC in two phases had received overwhelming response in all districts with good support from students, farmers and women. HYDERABAD: The Congress high command has reportedly finalised R. Raghurami Reddy for Khammam, V. Rajendar Rao for Karimnagar and Sameer Waliullah for the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seats, party sources said on Tuesday. An official announcement is expected on Wednesday. Followers of Raghurami Reddy filing papers on his behalf in Khammam on Tuesday further lent credence to reports about the party high command finalising his candidature. Rajendar Rao had filed his nomination papers in Karimnagar on Monday in the presence of minister Ponnam Prabhakar. Raghurami Reddy is the son of former Warangal MP Surender Reddy and a relative of minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Rajendar Rao is a former Prajya Rajyam candidate and Sameer Waliullah is the Hyderabad district Congress president. Meanwhile, a few Congress candidates received B-forms at Gandhi Bhavan on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the party handed over B Forms entitling Danam Nagender (Secunderabad), Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy (Bhongir), Neelam Madhu Mudiraj (Medak) to use the party symbol. A few other candidates, who were busy campaigning in the districts, received the forms through their representatives. The distribution of the B Forms put an end to speculation that the high command was considering changing candidates in a few constituencies, including Nagender from Secunderabad, due to negative survey reports. On Monday, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had held deliberations with Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and revenue minister Srinivas Reddy in Bengaluru to end the stalemate over the Khammam candidate. Bhatti had insisted on the ticket for his wife Nandini while Srinivas Reddy was lobbying for his brother Ponguleti Prasad Reddy. Source said the party high command opted for Raghurami Reddy as a 'neutral candidate' to break the deadlock.

Hyderabad: Techie Dies After Slipping Into Open Underground Sump At Hostel; Incident Caught On Cam

Working at a private firm, the software employee -- hailing from Khammam district -- had moved into the hostel two months ago

Row over Khammam MP ticket reaches Karnataka

Telangana Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Tummala Nageswara Rao are considering the seat prestigious

Congress still in a dilemma over Khammam Lok Sabha ticket

Hyderabad: With just two days to go for the filing of nominations for Lok Sabha elections in Telangana, the Congress party is yet to announce its candidate for the Khammam seat. With family members of three ministers and some others aspiring for the ticket, the party leadership is finding it difficult to choose a nominee. Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Khammam conundrum: Bhatti, Ponguleti meet Kharge in Bengaluru

HYDERABAD: In a bid to quell the anxiety in the party ranks over the delay in the announcement of the candidate for the Khammam Lok Sabha seat, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge met Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, who are lobbying to get the ticket for their family members, in Bengaluru on Monday. According to sources, Congress workers are displeased with the delay in declaring the candidates for Khammam, Karimnagar and Hyderabad. They said that while other parties are filing their nominations and taking up massive campaigns, the grand old party is yet to even finalise candidates, which is affecting the Congress prospects in the segment. It has been learnt that while Vikramarka has been pushing for the candidature of his wife, Nandini, Srinivasa Reddy is lobbying for his brother, Prasad. In a bid to avoid upsetting the ministers, who are critical to the partys chances in the state, Kharge sought their opinions on who the Congress should field, the sources added. Announcement likely in a day In case the party refuses to nominate a family member of a sitting minister, Vikramarka has proposed the candidature of local Kamma leader Rayala Nageswara Rao, who contested the MLC elections last year. Meanwhile, Srinivasa Reddy has put forward the name of Raghuma Reddy, whose father was elected as an MP in undivided Andhra Pradesh multiple times, the sources said. After taking their inputs, the AICC president reportedly told both the leaders that the party would decide on whom to nominate from Khammam after consulting former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi apart from Chief Minister and TPCC president A Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, among other senior leaders, before making an announcement late on Tuesday or Wednesday. Meanwhile, it is learnt that the party leadership also held meetings with ticket aspirants from Khammam, Hyderabad and Karimnagar. Hurting the party? While Vikramarka is lobbying for his wife Nandini, Srinivasa Reddy is pushing for the candidature of his brother, Pradeep. The cadre believes that the delay in announcing a candidate is hurting the partys chances of winning

Congress Khammam ticket tussle reaches Bengaluru

Hyderabad: The stalemate over Congress candidates for Khammam, Karimnagar and Hyderabad Lok Sabha seats continues even though filling of nominations ends in three days on April 25. Party sources said that the Congress high command has roped in Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to resolve the Khammam candidate issue between Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy. While Bhatti is seeking the ticket for his wife Nandini, Srinivas Reddy wants it for his brother Prasad Reddy. Sources added that they headed to Bengaluru on Monday and discussed the issue with Shivakumar. It was learnt that AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge was in town and the TS leaders discussed the issue with him. Former Warangal MP R. Surender Reddy's son R. Raghurami Reddy is also in the race for the Khammam ticket. Sources said that both Bhatti and Srinivas Reddy pitched for fielding a local from Khammam district, whoever it may be, against the backdrop of speculation over party leadership considering the candidature of Mandava Venkateshwar Rao of Nizamabad district. For Karimnagar, former Congress MLA A. Praveen Reddy and Velichala Rajender Rao, who has the support of minister Ponnam Prabhakar, are in the race. For Hyderabad, the Congress is reportedly considering Sameer Waliullah, president of Hyderabad district Congress committee.

Khammam seat issue reaches Bengaluru

Congress delay allows rivals to march ahead in Telangana

HYDERABAD: With just four days left for the deadline to file nomination papers for the 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana, the ruling Congress is yet to finalise its candidates for three key constituencies in the state. With the filing of nominations underway and the deadline set for April 25, the delay in announcing the candidates has raised eyebrows and sparked discussions within political circles, even as the main rivals of the Congress the BJP and BRS have nosed ahead in the campaign. The three constituencies Hyderabad, Khammam, and Karimnagar are as important to the Congress as the other 14, in light of the partys ambitious electoral strategy dubbed Mission 15. However, the delay in announcing candidates for these constituencies has cast doubt over its seriousness to meet its electoral targets. The fact that some Congress leaders are openly extending support to the AIMIM in Hyderabad is not helping the partys cause in any way. In Hyderabad, the Congress faces stiff competition from the BJP and AIMIM. These two parties have ramped up their campaign efforts, both on the ground and in the media. In contrast, the Congress appears to be maintaining a low profile, prompting questions about its strategy. Similarly in Karimnagar, candidates from rival parties like Bandi Sanjay of the BJP and B Vinod Kumar of BRS have been actively engaging with voters. Meanwhile, uncertainty prevails among the Congress cadre who eagerly wait for the party leadership to announce the candidate. The situation in Khammam is no different, with the Congress still preferring to keep its choice undisclosed as the clock ticks down to the nomination deadline. According to sources, the party is now exploring options for the Khammam segment while it had earlier considered a leader from the Reddy community. Asked about the delay in candidate selection, Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said that this was due to an abundance of aspirants. With the deadline fast approaching, the party cadre wait for the leadership to expedite candidate selection and give the candidates a fighting chance in Telangana. Nominees likely to be revealed by Tuesday The Congress, which has not yet announced its nominees for Khammam, Karimnagar and Hyderabad seats, is expected to do so before Tuesday. Sources said the party has more or less decided to field Raghuma Reddy or Mandava Venkateswara Rao from Khammam, Velichala Rajender Rao from Karimnagar and Sameer Waliullah from Hyderabad.

Stalemate over Khammam LS candidate: Congress summons Bhatti, Ponguleti to Delhi

Hyderabad: The Congress high command has summoned Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy to Delhi on Monday to hold talks to end stalemate over announcing candidate for Khammam Lok Sabha seat. While the April 25 deadline for filing of nominations will end in another three days, the Congress high command is yet to declare candidates for Khammam, Karimnagar and Hyderabad Lok Sabha seats giving anxious moments to party leaders and cadre. While the Opposition BJP and BRS announced candidates for all the 17 seats in Telangana long ago and started full-fledged campaigning, the ruling Congress is struggling to finalise candidates for all seats even after nominations process begun on April 18. Bhatti's wife Nandini, Poguleti's brother Prasad Reddy and former Warangal MP R Surender Reddy's son R Raghurami Reddy are in race for Khammam ticket and party leadership is under pressure from all leaders to get Khammam ticket for their kin. The delay has added to confusion in the party. Meanwhile, Karimnagar seat aspirant V Rajender Rao has decided to file nomination for Karimnagar Lok Sabha seat on Monday although the party high command is yet to declare the candidate. Rajender has the backing of minister Ponnam Prabhakar, representing Karimnagar district. It is expected that party high command would announce candidates for three pending seats on Monday or Tuesday after holding talks with Bhatti and Ponguleti in Delhi on Monday.

KCR Announces 17-Day Roadshow Schedule for Lok Sabha Polls

Hyderabad: The BRS on Sunday released the schedule for party supremo K. Chandrashekar Raos 17-day long road shows for the Lok Sabha elections. The events will be held in the evening in view of the summer heat, and will last from April 24 to May 10. The schedule is as follows: April 24: Miryalaguda, 5.30 pm, Suryapet 7 pm; April 25: Bhongir, 7 pm; April 26, Mahbubnagar 6 pm; April 27: Nagarkurnool 6 pm; April 28: Warangal 6 pm; April 29: Khammam 6 pm; April 30: Tallada 5.30 pm and Kothagudem 6.30 pm; May 1: Mahbubabad 6 pm; May 2: Jammikunta 6 pm; May 3: Ramagundam 6 pm; May 4: Mancherial 6 pm; May 5: Jagtial 6 pm; May 6: Nizamabad 6 pm; May 7: Kamareddy 5.30 pm and Medak 7 pm; May 8: Narsapur 5.30 pm and Patancheruvu 7 pm; May 9: Karimnagar 6 pm; May 10: Sircilla 5 pm and Siddipet 6.30 pm.

Lok Sabha Polls: KCR Bus Yatra Itinerary, Check Route Map

Hyderabad: Former chief minister and BRS president K Chandrashekhar Rao is set to kick start bus yatra across the state as part of Lok Sabha elections campaign. The bus yatra will be begin on April 24 and ends on May 10, as per the announcement made by the party. KCRs Bus Yatra Schedule: Day 1 - April 24th Miryalaguda Road Show: 5:30 PM Suryapet Road Show: 7:00 PM (Overnight stay at Suryapet) Day 2 - April 25th Bhuvanagiri Road Show: 6:00 PM Overnight stay at Erravalli Day 3 - April 26th Road Show in Mahbubnagar: 6:00 PM (Overnight Stay in Mahabubnagar) Day 4 - April 27th Nagar Kurnool Road Show: 6:00 PM Day 5 - April 28th Warangal Road Show: 6:00 PM (Night stay in Warangal) Day 6 - April 29th Khammam Road Show: 6:00 PM (Night stay at Khammam) Day 7 - April 30th Talladalo Road Show: 5:30 PM Road show in Kothagudem: 6:30 PM (Overnight at Kottagudem) Day 8 - May 1st Mahbubabad Road Show: 6:00 PM (Night stay in Warangal) Day 9 - May 2nd Jammikunta Road Show: 6:00 PM Overnight stay at Veenavanka Day 10 - May 3rd Ramagundam Road Show: 6:00 PM Overnight at Ramagundam Day 11 - May 4th Manchiryala Road Show: 6:00 PM Overnight stay at Karimnagar Day 12 - May 5th Jagitial Road Show: 6:00 PM Overnight stay in Jagitya Day 13 - May 6th Nizamabad Road Show: 6:00 PM Overnight stay in Nizamabad Day 14 - May 7th Kamareddy Road Show: 5:30 PM Medak Road Show: 7:00 PM Overnight stay in Medak Day 15 - May 8th Narsapur Road Show: 5:30 PM Patan Cheruvu Road Show: 7:00 PM Overnight stay at Erravelli Day 16 - May 9th Karimnagar Road Show: 6:00 PM Overnight stay at Karimnagar Day 17 - May 10th Sirisilla Road Show: 5:00 PM Siddipet Road Show: 6:30 PM

Telangana sees rains & hailstorm, mercury level plummets

HYDERABAD: In a breather from the scorching heat, Hyderabad woke up to a rainy morning with thunderstorms on Saturday. Light to moderate rains were also experienced in Jangaon, Nagarkurnool, Rangareddy, Siddipet, Vikarabad, Warangal, Hanamkonda, Yadadri Bhuvangiri, Jogulamba Gadwal, Sangareddy, Wanaparthy and Nizamabad districts and nearby areas, the IMD said. Some parts of Nizamabad, Siddipet, Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri and Kamareddy districts reportedly witnessed hailstorms. The highest rainfall in the state was recorded at 49.5 mm in Jangaon, followed by 33.0 mm in Siddipet and 28.0 mm in Rangareddy, as per the Telangana State Development and Planning Society. Hyderabad experienced the highest rainfall of 28.0 mm in Serilingampally, while most parts of the city experienced light rainfall. The highest maximum temperatures however remained above 40C, with the highest maximum temperature at 43.8C in Khammam. The city of Hyderabad experienced a dip in the maximum temperatures as the highest was 38.3C in Kapra. Yellow alert issued The IMD said that the cyclonic circulation over the Marathwada region and neighbouring areas had become less marked while the trough discontinuity runs from south interior Karnataka to north Tamil Nadu at 0.9 km above mean sea level. Under the influence of the weather systems, the state will continue to experience light to moderate rain or thundershowers at isolated places for the next seven days. A yellow alert has been issued for the next five days. Hyderabad will also experience cloudy skies and thundershowers with light rains and lightning, and gusty winds of around 3040 kmph are very likely to occur over the next 48 hours. Maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 37C and 28C, respectively. Traffic hit in Hyderabad Several parts of Hyderabad experienced traffic jams and waterlogging. Areas like Kukatpally, JNTU, Balanagar, Uppal, Tarnaka, Secunderabad, Masab Tank, Mehdipatnam, Punjagutta, Raidurgam, Hitec City, Kondapur, Lakdikapul, PVNR Marg and the Old City area experienced heavy traffic jams due to the rains. They continued till late in the evening at many major junctions. Many public places such as Tank Bund, PVNR Marg, Peoples Plaza, Durgam Cheruvu and other spots witnessed more crowds than usual as the temperatures dropped after the rains. Many areas also experienced waterlogging, such as Secretariat, Tank Bund, Langer Houz, Golconda, Khajaguda, Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills, Nampally, Biodiversity Circle, IT corridors, Punjagutta, Attapur, Begumpet, Ameerpet and Chanchalguda. Power supply was disrupted in many areas such as Rajendranagar, Saifabad, Saroornagar, Habsiguda, Kondapur, Kandukur, Azamabad, Charminar, Tolichowki, Shaikpet from morning hours. The GHMC DRF team received 31 complaints of water stagnation, oil spills and tree felling due to the heavy rains.

Telangana: Constables daughter cracks Civils with 936th rank, hopes to land IPS job

KHAMMAM: Cracking Civil Services is no mean achievement. Its all the more difficult for those without strong financial background and access to good education. Surmounting all these odds, 28-year-old Sai Alekya Ravuri has secured 936 rank in her fifth attempt. Alekya, who belongs to the Scheduled Tribes community, is hopeful of landing either the IPS or IRS job and is very happy that she has realised the dream of her father Ravuri Prakash Rao, who works as a head constable in Madhira police station. Alekya says she was inspired to achieve the goal by her father who would take her to Independence Day and Republic day celebrations during her school days and show her the honours being accorded to IPS and IAS officers. To fulfil her parents wish, she had set her sights on the Civil Services since her school days. She studied Classes 1 to 10 in Khammam, intermediate at Sri Chaitanya in Vijayawada and BA in Osmania University, Hyderabad. Then, Alekya pursued MA in Rural Development from Banaras Hindu University. After completing MA, she joined an IAS academy in Hyderabad and dedicated 8-15 hours everyday. Speaking to TNIE, Alekya said, My ultimate aim is to become an IAS officer which gives me an opportunity to serve more sections of people in society. She said she would join whatever service she gets and will persevere to reach her goal. According to her, her grandfather Ravuri Venkat Ramaiah was freedom fighter and also played a role in inspiring her to choose the Civil Services. She never gave up though she failed to clear the preliminary exam in her first three attempts because of the support and encouragement from her parents. Last year, she reached the interview stage but did not get a rank. Undaunted by this failure, she prepared for her exams with renewed energy and got a rank this year. Alekya chose anthropology as her optional in the Civil Services. Her father Prakash Rao said, I have no words to express my happiness. I am very proud of my daughter. I want my daughter to serve the poor and become a role model for fellow civil servants. In a touch of emotion, Prakash Rao wants to see Alekya become an IPS officer and visit the police station where he works so that he could salute her only daughter. Inspired by dad after she was taken to RDay parade Alekhya Ravuri was inspired to achieve the goal by her father who would take her to Independence Day and Republic day celebrations during her school days and show her the honours being accorded to IPS and IAS officers. To fulfil her parents wish, she had set her sights on the Civil Services since her school days

Is Khammam power play delaying Cong final list?

Insights on Hyderabad's Wanderlust and India's Travel Landscape

Delving into the heartbeat of Hyderabad's travel scene and India's burgeoning wanderlust, Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head of Holidays, MICE, Visa at Thomas Cook (India) Limited, shares exclusive insights with Deccan Chronicle. From the surge in domestic and international travel preferences to the rise of 'Pilgrimage Plus' experiences, Kale unveils the dynamic shifts and emerging trends shaping the travel industry. He also gives a list of most instagrammable tourist spots in the world. How is Hyderabad as a market for travel? Could you give us some statistics on the travel scene in Telangana, especially Hyderabad? Hyderabad is a key source market for us and our data reflects uptick of 29% YoY from Telangana and Hyderabad. This increased demand is emerging from customers across segments of families, couples, Young Indias millennials and Gen Z. While Hyderabad is a key market, Warangal, Karimnagar and Khammam are emerging strongly. What do Hyderabadis prefer domestic or international travel? Could you tell us about the most popular tourist hotspots they visit? Name the top most travelled destinations within India Customers from Hyderabad and Telengana are travelling like never before and demand for both domestic and international destinations are equally high. Domestic and short-haul destinations are preferred for weekends, mini-cations; Long Haul destinations are opted for summer vacations, festive season like Dusshera, Diwali and year-end. Our customers are displaying strong appetite for Europes Switzerland, France, Hungary, Spain; also Finland and the Scandics; Australia-New Zealand, and USA despite visa challenges. Short haul destinations witnessing high interest include Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia; Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan. What is noteworthy, is that we have relaunched our flagship European Extravaganza holidays that offers our customers with a range of exclusive experiences that are share-worthy on social media. To address this demand, we have introduced Telugu and south special departures from Hyderabad to cater to the growing demand. On the domestic front, in addition to the cooler climes of Kashmir, Himachal, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, North East, we have observed a demand for beach destinations including Kerala and Goa. Spiritual tourism has gained momentum in the recent past. What are the top pilgrim towns? We are witnessing increased preference for spiritual tours to Char Dham, Ayodhya-Prayagraj-Varanasi, Tamil Nadu, etc. from not only from Telenganas senior segment but also families, couples and millennials. What is noteworthy, is the trend of Pilgrimage Plus where customers are combining darshans while exploring the surrounding destination. What about instagrammable locations? Could you give us 5 most travelled spots? From Scandic countries like Finland with Iceland and inclusions of husky-safaris, stays in glass igloo/bubbles or traditional log cabins with spectacular views of the Northern Lights, to panoramic views of Tegallalang rice terraces in Bali, Japans Cherry Blossom/Sakura season, are some examples. What are the unexplored places in India that have the potential to become tourist hot spots Hyderabadis are displaying increased interest in offbeat destinations with high preference for hidden gems including hot sulphur springs of Panamik in Nubra valley Ladakh; Yusmarg and Doodhpathri in Kashmir - exquisite hill stations in Kashmir with a lush green landscape and snow-capped mountain ranges, Damro - longest enchanted hanging bridge in Arunachal Pradesh, and Vantawng falls - the highest and most spectacular waterfalls in Mizoram. Beach destinations like North Kerala's Kappad Beach, Andhra's Rushikonda Beach and Andaman's Radhanagar Beach on Havelock Island have emerged as top beach favorite choices. What about Lakshadweep? Have the booking surged post PM's tweet? The Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent visit to Lakshadweep and encouragement to Indians to explore the islands within the country, we have witnessed an uptick in our searches for both domestic islands and beach destinations. Our search data for Lakshadweep indicates a significant jump of over 950% compared to December, followed by destinations like, Goa - a clear catalyst for Domestic Tourism. What trends have you noticed in the travel industry during long weekends and seasonal holidays like Navratri or Summer? Our consumer trends indicate that customers from Telangana state are utilizing their extended weekends and public holidays, taking multiple holidays in a year especially to no-visa and easy visa destinations; also drive-cations. The announcements of visa-free entry has been a game-changer for destinations like Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Thailand, resulting in a significant uplift of approx. 35%. What is interesting, is that Indian consumers have shifted from being a Saver to a Spender, and this changed mindset has had a cascading impact on holidays; customers are willing to increase spends on their holidays by 20-30% compared to pre-pandemic levels and stay in premium properties while travelling for a longer duration from 7-10 days to over 15 days.

Voting Pattern Shows Congress Lead with 9 MPs, BRS 7

Congress flag.(Representational image: PTI) Congress flag.(Representational image: PTI) HYDERABAD: Major parties are concerned over the swing in the voting behaviour in the Lok Sabha polls from the Assembly elections. The example being cited is that of the BRS, which won 88 seats in the 2018 Assembly elections. On that ground, it should have been the leading party in the Lok Sabha elections in 2019 but could win only 9 seats, followed by the BJP with 4, the Congress with three and the AIMIM one. In the Lok Sabha elections, the BRS was ahead in 71 Assembly segments, surrendering the lead in 17 others. The BJP which had won one Assembly seat, secured the lead in 25 segments in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Only the Congress managed to maintain its majority in 21 Assembly seats in both the 2018 Assembly elections and the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In the 2023 Assembly elections, the Congress came to power by winning 65 seats (including one seat by its ally CPI), while the BJP increased its tally to eight. The BRS tally came down to 39, while the AIMIM retained its traditional seven seats. If the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections were to witness the same voting pattern of December 2023 Assembly polls, then the Congress will get nine Lok Sabha seats, which will include, Peddapalli, Zaheerabad, Mahbubnagar, Nagarkurnool, Nalgonda, Bhongir, Warangal, Mahabubabad and Khammam. The BRS will get seven Lok Sabha constituencies: Adilabad, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Medak, Malkajgiri, Secunderabad and Chevella. The AIMIM will retain its Hyderabad seat. The BJP will draw a blank as it failed to secure a majority in any of the Lok Sabha constituencies. However, it is unlikely for voting patterns to repeat as people are voting differently in Assembly polls and Lok Sabha polls. After losing power in December 2023, the BRS is at the receiving end as a large number of leaders and cadre migrated to the Congress and the BJP and the party is struggling to make a mark in the Lok Sabha polls. While the Congress has set itself a target to win 15 Lok Sabha seats, the BJP is also aiming for double-digit seats. The Congress and the BJP are competing with each other to eat into the vote share of BRS and improve their seats in Lok Sabha polls as compared to 2019.

Hyderabad: Teen loses life in attempt to take photos near granite stone quarry

Hyderabad: The urge to take pictures at a granite stone quarry has cost the life of a teenager in Hyderabad. Bandaru Abhinav (16), a native of Khammam district, was pursuing his intermediate education at a private college in ECIL. On Friday, he had gone to a resort in Yadgarpally village to celebrate his friend Niranjans Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Cong may pick Raghurami Reddy for Khammam, Rajender for Karimnagar LS seats

Hyderabad: The Congress is likely to field R Raghurami Reddy, son of former Warangal MP R Surender Reddy from Khammam Lok Sabha seat. Party sources said that Congress high command has finalised Reddy for Khammam Lok Sabha seat and an official announcement is expected today. Similarly, the high command has reportedly finalised V Rajender Rao from Velama community as candidate for Karimnagar Lok Sabha seat. For Hyderabad, the candidature of Hyderabad DCC president Sameer Waliullah is being seriously considered.

'BJPs aim is to build nation, not just capture power,' says Rajnath

HYDERABAD/KHAMMAM: Describing the Congress as an outdated party, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that the BJPs politics is aimed at not merely capturing power but to build the nation. Addressing the gathering before Telangana BJP chief and Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy filed his nomination as BJPs candidate from the Secunderabad parliamentary constituency, Rajnath said: The BJP does not do politics in the name of caste, creed and religion. Its politics are based on justice and humanity. The senior BJP leader said that former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Duvvuri Subbarao wrote in his book that there was pressure to present a rosy picture of the countrys economy during UPA rule. The Congress and BRS are full of loot and jhoot (lies). But no one can point a finger at the BJP governments, which were led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the past and Narendra Modi now, he said. Rajnath also claimed that due to Prime Minister Narendra Modis intervention, the war between Russia and Ukraine was halted for four hours and more than 22,000 Indian students were evacuated, he said. The Defence minister said that under Modi, India has become the fifth largest economy and it now is bracing to be among the worlds top three economies by 2027. Stating that the BJP fulfilled all its promises, including construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, abrogation of Article 370 and abolition of triple talaq, he said that nobody will lose their citizenship when the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is implemented. Claiming that over 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty under Modis leadership, he urged the voters to elect Kishan Reddy from Secunderabad and Eatala Rajender from Malkajgiri with a huge majority. Rajnath also participated in a roadshow held in Khammam before the BJP candidate Tandra Vinod Rao filed his nomination when the town reverberated with chants of Jai Shri Ram, Jai Bharat and Jai Modi amidst performances by various artistes. Speaking on the occasion, Rajnath accused the Congress of doing nothing during its rule for decades. He claimed that Nehru, Indira and Rajiv failed to fulfil their promise to eradicate poverty, but Modi brought 25 crore people above the poverty line in 10 years. Earlier, Vinod Rao, Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy, Dharma Rao, Premender Reddy, Galla Satyanarayana, Ranga Kiran and other BJP leaders gave a warm welcome to Rajnath when he landed in Khammam in a chopper. The BJP leaders travelling in the campaign chariot bedecked with flowers greeted people who turned up for the event in large numbers braving scorching sun. Rajnath Singh addressed the people at the ZP Centre and congratulated the people of Telangana for sending home a bad government. He claimed that BJP had a big role in the formation of a separate Telangana state. He alleged that the BRS and the Congress were the two sides of the same coin and that the two parties were steeped in corruption. The Modi government did what it promised and abolished Article 370, triple talaq and built Ram temple in Ayodhya, he said. He said the BJP candidate Vinod Rao was known for his social service and he would come to Khammam to thank people if they elect Vinod Rao. Addressing the gathering, Vinod Rao urged people to give him an opportunity if they want to see Khammam developed.