Alliance, caste, anti-incumbency What led to TDPs sweep in Andhra MLC polls?

politics After TDP secured all three graduate constituency seats in the recent MLC polls in Andhra Pradesh, party chief Chandrababu Naidu called the results indicative of an anti-incumbent rebellion against the YSRCP government. Having secured all three graduate constituency seats in the Member of Legislative Council (MLC) elections, the Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh is optimistic. In a press meet held at the partys central office on Sunday, March 19, along with top leaders of the party, TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu said that the election results were indicative of an anti-incumbent rebellion among the voters. He referred to TDPs wins as a victory for the people, and added that by choosing TDP candidates, the electorate had placed their complete trust and confidence in the party. The TDP has wrested the graduates MLC seats in both West and East Rayalaseema as well as in the north coastal Andhra region. Opposition party leaders have since claimed that this victory was a referendum by the people of north Andhra and Rayalaseema against the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP)'s plan to establish three capitals in the state. In the East Rayalaseema graduate constituency (Prakasam-Nellore-Chittoor), Kancharla Srikanth Choudhary of the TDP defeated Pernati Shyamprasad Reddy of the YSRCP after the counting of second preference votes, with a majority of more than 34,000. The loss came as a shock to the YSRCP, as the constituency has been a party stronghold for years. The TDP candidate for north coastal Andhra (Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam districts), Vepada Chiranjeevi Rao too obtained the required votes in the second preferential counting and defeated YSRCPs Sitamraju Sudhakar. The West Rayalaseema graduate constituency (Anantapur-Kurnool-Kadapa), where TDPs Bhumi Reddy Ramgopal Reddy emerged as winner, has meanwhile been embroiled in a controversy. Though YSRCP candidate V Raveendra Reddy had maintained a slim lead during the first round of counting, he fell short of the required number of votes to be declared the winner. The officials hence began counting the votes for second preferences, which eventually went in favour of the TDP. Later, however, the TDP candidate along with party supporters staged a protest at the counting station alleging that he was not given the declaration certificate even after the returning officer announced him as the winner. The party president also took this to the notice of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission (APSEC), alleging that the declaration certificate has been withheld due to pressure from Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddys office. The YSRCP also wrote to the ECI and the APSEC demanding that the votes be counted again, claiming that there were irregularities in counting and that YSRCP votes have been transferred to TDP bundles. What analysts say According to political analyst Telakapalli Ravi, the TDPs victory in the graduates seats is definitely a setback to the YSRCP. It demonstrates an anti-establishment sentiment among the graduates, particularly among those who are unemployed, he said. In addition, the TDP supremos strategy to tie up with the Left-aligned Progressive Democratic Front (PDF) for second priority votes have also helped them greatly, especially in the north coastal Andhra constituency, Ravi said. Nearly 8,000 second preferential votes came via the PDF in the north coastal constituency. But the TDP has not acknowledged this enough, he said. Pawan Kalyans Jana Sena Party sending a strong message to its voters against voting for the ruling party has also been a contributing factor, he added. Ravi said that caste has also played a significant role in the election, pointing out that north coastal Andhra MLC-elect Chiranjeevi Rao belonged to the Kapu community, a numerically strong Telugu caste. Chiranjeevi is also a well-known figure among the youngsters. He is a popular economics coach in the city and is widely known as Economics Chiranjeevi, he said. Political analyst and professor K Nageshwar believes that the election results from graduate constituencies cannot be considered as the opinion of the general public, as it is limited to only a section of registered graduate voters. But it still sends a strong message about the dissatisfaction among the educated class of the state. The vote was against YSRCP, not in the favour of TDP, he said. Development is a significant subject of debate among the urban middle class, Nageshwar said. Most middle class people do not care about welfare schemes. They are bothered about what immediately affects them factors such as roads, employment etc. But the government has not paid much attention to this, he said. He added that while development is a matter of concern in rural areas as well, it is mostly balanced out by the popularity of welfare schemes. Meanwhile, Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, Advisor to the Government of Andhra Pradesh for public affairs, told the media that the [graduate constituencies] did not represent the lakhs of beneficiaries of welfare schemes. We might not have done well in understanding this particular section of voters. But teachers have shown their support to us. Moreover, considerable votes were polled for our candidates. The Opposition candidates were able to poll more votes because of their alliance with the PDF, he added.

Sajjala justifies YSRC demand for recounting

Sajjala said it was the habit of TDP to misuse official machinery and they had even used IAS and IPS officers to induce our party MLAs into their party earlier. VIJAYAWADA: YSRC general secretary Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy alleged lapses in the counting of votes of West Rayalaseema Graduates MLC Constituency and said they have every right to demand recounts. He took a swipe at Opposition Leader N Chandrababu Naidu for terming the win in the graduates MLC seats a peoples victory. Speaking to the media on Sunday, Sajjala said the TDP chief levelled allegations against officials that several irregularities took place in the MLC elections. He said it was the YSRC that had become a victim of the lapses. Though it was proved with evidence, the officials did not act on our complaint, he said. Sajjala alleged that senior TDP leaders from Kadapa, Anantapur and Kurnool reached Anantapur for counting and they influenced the officials at the counting centre to include invalid as well as votes of YSRC into the bundles of TDP. Naidu has the habit of managing institutions and infiltrating into them like a virus, he remarked. Sajjala questioned as to why the YSRC would lose three graduate MLC seats if it had resorted to irregularities in the election process as alleged by the TDP chief. The YSRC senior leader said they raised objections against the transfer of YSRC votes into the bundles of TDP in the eighth round of counting itself, but the returning officer promised to look into them after the completion of the counting process. We have asked the officials to verify the votes and it is our right. We also have proof to show that there are lapses. Even in elections to Parliament, there are instances where the difference is just nine to 10 votes between the winning candidate and the loser and that is why we have asked for recounting, he explained. Sajjala said it was the habit of TDP to misuse official machinery and they had even used IAS and IPS officers to induce our party MLAs into their party earlier.

After protests, TDP nominee gets certificate of election in AP

The YSRC alleged lapses and complained to the Election Commission, while the TDP too sought the Election Commissions intervention to declare the result. ANANTAPUR: After several hours of drama and protests, the district authorities declared the results of the West Rayalaseema Graduates Constituency MLC election late Saturday night. However, the declaration form was handed over to the winning candidate on Sunday morning only. TDPs Bhumireddy Ramgopal Reddy won the Anantapur-Kadapa-Kurnool Graduates Constituency MLC election by a majority of 7,543 votes in the second preference vote counting. The counting of votes started on March 16 and went on for nearly 50 hours. YSRCs V Ravindra Reddy led throughout the first preference vote counting but slipped into the second position when the second preference vote counting started. The YSRC alleged lapses and complained to the Election Commission, while the TDP too sought the Election Commissions intervention to declare the result. Protesting against the delay in announcing the election result, Ramgopal Reddy staged a demonstration and he was taken into custody last night. District Returning Officer S Nagalakshmi issued the declaration letter to the winning candidate on Sunday morning, putting an end to the election process.

PFI operatingwith highly skilled hit squads, internal courts, funding across India: NIA

NIA has frozen 37 bank accounts of the PFI organisation as well as 40 bank accounts belonging to 19 individuals associated with the PFI, virtually squeezing the organisations funding activities. NEW DELHI: The investigations by the National Investigating Agency (NIA) into multiple cases of the Popular Front of India (PFI), have revealed that the organisation has been operatingacross in states India. The PFIhas been operating with plans to wage an armed war to disintegrate and establish an Islamic Caliphate, sources in the NIA said. Officials in the NIA said that investigations into five cases, in which chargesheets have already been filed with 105 accused named, revealed that the organisation has also been running its well-established set-up with wings and units, comprising loyal and highly trained cadres of their service teams, that was pressed into service as executioners of the orders pronounced by their parallel Courts, called Dar-ul-Qaza. Even in several chargesheet filed in a special court this month, the NIA has maintained, Investigations have revealed that the PFIacting under the cover of building a mass organisation and a socio-political movement, was actually putting together a highly motivated, trained and secretive elite force within the larger organisation, to achieve its pernicious and violent long-term objectives of the establishment of Islamic rule in India by 2047. Officials in the NIA said that this has been the primary objective of all PFI modules operating in at least 15 Indianstates now. In one of the recent chargesheets filed at a Rouse Avenue court last week, the NIA has submitted that PFI is trapping Muslim youth who had already pledged their allegiance to the out and its ideology and tactics through the administration of the oath of secrecy and loyalty (bayath). These highly radicalised men were being trained in the use of arms and weapons in various Arms Training Camps being conducted by PFI across the country with the intention of raising a well-trained PFI Army/militia, the chargesheet said. ALSO READ | NIA chargsheets 68 in PFI cases of Kerala, TN The activities included the empowerment of Muslims and marginalised sections of society through campaigns and so-called social welfare schemes, in the disguise of which the organisation was promoting its anti-India and violent agenda. Its cadres provided physical education training and weapons training, with those completing advanced training being inducted in its hit squads or service teams. Radicalisation and recruitment of gullible Muslim youth was an integral part of the PFI strategy, an official said. NIAs investigations in the case have also exposed a trail of funding by PFI to its terror operatives and weapons trainers across the country, both in cash and through regular bank transfers, in the guise of payment of salaries. All these PFI trainers have been arrested in cases registered either by the NIA or by different state police forces. NIA has frozen 37 bank accounts of the PFI organisation as well as 40 bank accounts belonging to 19 individuals associated with the PFI, virtually squeezing the organisations funding activities. The crackdown on these bank accounts took place across India, including Guwahati (Assam), Sundipur (West Bengal), Imphal (Manipur), Kozhikode (Kerala), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), New Delhi, Jaipur (Rajasthan), Bangalore (Karnataka), Hyderabad (Telangana) and Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh). ends

TDP wins Rayalaseema MLC Graduates seats in AP

In West Rayalaseema, the ruling party has claimed a big win in the two Teachers constituencies. VIJAYAWADA:Results of elections to the Graduates and Teachers MLC seats have brought cheer for both YSRC and Opposition TDP. After winning the North Andhra Graduates MLC seat on Friday night, the TDP continued its winning streak and won the remaining two Graduates constituencies of West and East Rayalaseema. In Prakasam-Nellore-Chittoor, TDPs Kancharla Srikanth Choudhary was declared victorious by 34,110 votes against his rival Pernati Shyamprasad Reddy of YSRC after second priority vote counting. In West Rayalaseema, the ruling party has claimed a big win in the two Teachers constituencies. However, Anantapur-Kurnool-Kadapa Graduates seat was embroiled in a controversy. While YSRCs V Raveendra Reddy maintained lead from the first round of counting that started on March 16, he did not exceed 2,000.With none of the candidates getting a clear majority, the officials started counting of second preference votes on Saturday. Following this, tables turned in favour of TDPs B Ramgopal Reddy as votes of BJP, PDF and independents went in his favour. As soon as the result was out, YSRCs Raveendra Reddy and former MLA K Visweswara Reddy staged a protest alleging lapses in counting and demanded recounting. The party shot off a letter to the Chief Election Commission and AP Chief Electoral Officer. Poll results dont reflect anti-incumbency: Sajjala In the letter, they stated that they noticed transfer of YSRC votes to TDP bundles, which was later re-transferred. Demanding the votes be counted again, they alleged that there might be irregularities during the counting. Defeat in East Rayalaseema was shocking for the YSRC as it has a stronghold in the region with 32 legislators off the 36 Assembly constituencies falling under the graduates MLC seat. The party had formed a committee for enrolling graduates as voters, particularly in urban areas such as Nellore, Tirupati, Ongole and other major areas in the MLC Assembly constituency. Opposition leaders criticised that the YSRC, which tried to show its might by winning both Graduates and Teachers MLC seats in the East Rayalaseema region, fell flat on its face due to anti-incumbency. Though Energy Minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy, who is also Rayalaseema regional coordinator for the party, monitored the election campaign, the ruling party has failed to attract graduate voters. TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, too, wrote a letter to the election commission to declare the party candidates win from the West Rayalaseema graduats seat. Undeterred by the defeat in graduates MLC elections, YSRC general secretary and Government Advisor (Public Affairs) Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy said the voters constitue a minor section of the society and that majority of the graduates are not beneficiaries of their welfare schemes. The MLC election results do not reflect anti-incumbency. In fact, we pulled a great victory by winning the two teachers constituencies in the MLC elections for the first time, he pointed out. Congratulating the three winning candidates, Naidu tweeted, I salute to the leaders and activists who have stood tall against the atrocities of the YSRC during the elections. This is a victory of the people and an indication of change. It is a good omen for the State. YSRC WRITES TO POLL PANEL, DEMANDS RECOUNT In a letter to the Chief Election Commission and Chief Electoral Officer of Andhra Pradesh, the YSRC stated that they noticed transfer of YSRC votes to TDP bundles, which was later re-transferred. Demanding the votes be counted again, they alleged that there might be irregularities during the counting

NIA chargesheet against 19 top PFI leaders, a/c frozen

All these PFI trainers have been arrested in cases registered either by the NIA or by different state police forces, NIA sources said. KALPETTA:The National Investigation Agency filed In its fifth chargesheet this month against the Popular Front of India (PFI), the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed charges against 19 persons, including 12 National Executive Council (NEC) members, founding members and senior leaders of the banned outfit. PFI, as an organisation, has also been charge-sheeted in the case relating to a criminal conspiracy aimed at destabilising and dismembering the country. NIAs investigations in the case have also exposed a trail of funding by PFI to its terror operatives and weapons trainers across the country, both in cash and through regular bank transfers, in the guise of payment of salaries. All these PFI trainers have been arrested in cases registered either by the NIA or by different state police forces, NIA sources said. According to an NIA spokesperson, the agency also froze 37 Bank accounts of the PFI organisation as well as 40 Bank accounts belonging to 19 individuals associated with the PFI, virtually squeezing the organisations funding activities. The crackdown on these bank accounts took place across India, including Guwahati (Assam), Sundipur (West Bengal), Imphal (Manipur), Kozhikode (Kerala), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), New Delhi, Jaipur (Rajasthan), Bangalore (Karnataka), Hyderabad (Telangana) and Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh). ALSO READ | NIA files chargesheets against 59 PFI workers for anti-national activities The case, under investigation since April 2022, had revealed that a criminal conspiracy was hatched by PFI, acting through the NEC, its members and persons associated with the PFI, to divide the country into communal lines. It has also come to light that the ultimate objective of the conspiracy was to overthrow the existing system of secular and democratic governance in India and replace it with an Islamic Caliphate, along with Shariah or Islamic Law, the NIA spokesperson said. The PFI members/cadres charge-sheeted today under various sections of IPC and UA(P)Act have been identified as OMA Salam, E M Abdul Rahiman, Anis Ahmed, Afsar Pasha, V P Nazaruddin, E Abubacker, Prof. P Koya, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Abdul Wahid Sait, A S Ismail, Adv Mohd Yusuf among others.

TDP wins North Andhra Graduates MLC seat

Stating that the same trend would continue till the 2024 polls, Ganta said the poll percentage of YSRC slumped to 30% from 50% in the last election. VISAKHAPATNAM/TIRUPATI: In a setback to the ruling YSRC, TDP won the North Andhra Graduate MLC seat as its candidate, Vepada Chiranjeevi Rao, secured the required 94,510 votes in second preferential counting on Friday. At the end of eighth round of first preference vote, Chiranjeevi was leading with 27,350 votes against YSRC candidate Sitamraju Sudhakar. The TDP candidate polled 82,956 votes, but was 11,551 votes short of the magic figure. Following this, second preference counting was taken up.With 786 second preference votes from 32 independents, 3,000 from BJPs candidate PVN Madhav and 8,000 votes from PDF (Progressive Democratic Front) pick Ramaprabha, Chiranjeevi was declared winner. Elections to five MLC seats under Teachers and Graduates quota were held on March 13 and the counting began on Thursday.Election to North Andhra Graduates constituency was a keenly fought battle as senior YSRC leaders terming it a semi-final and even appealed to the people to gift the seat to the Chief Minister.The outcome clearly indicates the beginning of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddys downfall, TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh remarked. Asserting that the election result was proof that voters were against the government, Former minister and TDP MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao said, While YSRC announced its candidate six months ago, the TDP declared its nominee only on February 1. The mandate is against Vizag being announced as executive capital. Stating that the same trend would continue till the 2024 polls, Ganta said the poll percentage of YSRC slumped to 30% from 50% in the last election. On the other hand, the YSRC maintained that the outcome will have no impact on the government. NREDCAP chairman and YSRC leader KK Raju said people should not be misled by detractors of North Andhra. Development of the region is possible only with Chief Minister Jagan, he asserted.It may be noted that the TDP had initially announced GVMC (Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporator) corporator Chinna Kumari Lakshmi as its candidate, but replaced her with Chiranjeevi in the last minute.With 37 candidates in the fray, the main contest was between YSRC, TDP, BJP and PDF. Economy Chiranjeevi: A political novice The choice of Chiranjeevi has puzzled many as he is a political novice. Popularly known as economy Chiranjeevi, he worked as a teacher in a renowned coaching centre.A number of students trained by him have excelled in various fields and hold key posts.He visited all 35 Assembly segments in as many days and struck a chord with many people.Meanwhile, the YSRC was also trailing in Prakasam-Nellore-Chittoor Graduate seat, while the YSRC-supported candidates bagged two MLC seats under teachers quota. The ruling party is poised to win the Kadapa-Anantapur-Kurnool Graduates constituency. Tight fight in Kadapa region In combined Prakasam-Nellore-Chittoor Graduates Constituency, TDP candidate, Kancharla Srikanth, is leading in all six rounds with 1,12,514 votes as against 85,252 votes polled by YSRCs Pernati Shyam Prasad Reddy. In East Rayalaseema Graduate seat, a total number of 2,48,360 votes were polled. Although the YSRC tried to show its might by winning both Graduates and Teachers MLC seats in the region, the ruling party failed to attract graduate voters, but bagged the Teachers Legislative Council seat in East Rayalaseema as well as Anantapur-Kadapa-Kurnool. Minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy, regional coordinator for the party in Rayalaseema, monitored the election campaign.For Kadapa-Kurnool-Anantapur Graduates constituency, a tight fight was witnessed between the YSRC and the TDP. By the end of eighth round, YSRCs V Ravindra Reddy was leading by over 1,000 votes against TDPs B Ramgopal Reddy.

Andhra Pradesh Budget: Rs 11,908 crore to develop irrigation with focus on pending projects

Presenting the budget, Finance Minister Buggana Rajendranath Reddy said the government is giving top priority to completion of the Polavaram Irrigation Project. VIJAYAWADA: The State government has earmarked Rs 11,908 crore for the development of water resources in the Budget 2023-24 presented in the Assembly on Thursday. The allocation is more than Rs 11,482.37 crore outlay in 2022-23. As per the revised estimates for 2022-23, the government has spent Rs 10,741.2 crore on irrigation and now the question is how much will it spend in 2023-24. Presenting the budget, Finance Minister Buggana Rajendranath Reddy said the government is giving top priority to completion of the Polavaram Irrigation Project. So far, 79.07% of the main dam and canal works have been completed. All measures are being taken to complete the R&R works simultaneously, he said. The Polavaram project, which is described as lifeline of Andhra Pradesh, witnessed the completion of spillway, approach channel, spill channel and pilot channel, besides two cofferdams (upper and lower).The works pertaining to filling up of scour pits near the lower cofferdam and construction of parallel diaphragm wall for the damaged port of the D-wall of the project during floods, are in progress now. Apart from Polavaram, the government has focused on completion of all other major projects taken up under the Jalayagnam scheme to provide better irrigation facility to farmland and provide drinking water to villages, besides meeting needs of industries in all districts. According to Buggana, the interlinking of Nagavali and Vamsadhara rivers is scheduled for completion by the end of March 2023 and Vamsadhara project phase-II of stage-II by June 2023 in Srikakulam district. The completion of Phase-I of Poola Subbaiah Veligonda Project is planned next year to draw water to Nallamala Sagar. The phase-I and II of HNSS Project are planned for completion by December 2023. The Phase-I of the GNSS Project is scheduled for completion by March 2025 and phase-II by March 2026. The Mekapati Goutham Reddy Sangam Barrage and Nellore Barrages across Penna were inaugurated by Chief Minister on September 6 last year to stabilise ayacut under Pennar Delta System, Kavali and Kanupur canals. This fulfils a solemn assurance made to the people of Nellore district, Buggana reminded. The 68 Tanks Project is completed and ready for inauguration in Kurnool and Nandyal districts. The project will meet the drinking water and irrigation requirements of 100 villages in a drought prone area. This will also fulfil the long pending dream of the people of the villages. Buggana said for the first time in several years, water was released to Godavari delta on June 1 and to Krishna delta on June 10 last year to ensure sowing of crops in time and therefore enabling harvesting before the onset of possible calamities. The early release of water to Nagarjuna Sagar Project canals on July 31 last year enabled farmers to reap a bountiful crop yield, he added. Irrigation projects in north coastal districts have been allocated Rs 394.23 crore, those in Prakasam Rs 301.15 crore, while in Anantapur, including HNSS got Rs 270.38 crore and projects in Kurnool Rs 594.56 crore. Telugu Ganga works have been allocated Rs 818.61 crore. A sum of Rs 23.37 crore has been allocated for the modernisation of Godavari Delta and Rs 279.06 crore to complete all the projects and develop the entire ayacut in Krishna delta, he added.

Heavy hail storms lash parts of Telangana, normal life affected

Weather The meteorological department has attributed the heavy storms to southeasterly winds under the impact of a trough in the Arabian Sea. Heavy hail storms and rains lashed parts of Telangana on Thursday, March 16. Hail storms, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds, brought down the maximum temperature, providing relief to people from the first spell of summer. Parts of Vikarabad, Rangareddy and Sangareddy districts witnessed heavy rains and hailstorms. A few places including Zaheerabad town say hail for about half an hour, disrupting movement of vehicles. Drivers were forced to park their vehicles by the roadside till the storm dissipated. Marpalle village in Vikarabad district also witnessed heavy hail storms. A white sheet of hailstones covered roads and fields. Crops like sugarcane, jowar and vegetables were damaged in some parts of the affected districts. Paddy crops were also reportedly damaged in Siddipet and Medak districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has attributed the hail storms and thunderstorms to southeasterly winds under the impact of the trough from Bangladesh and neighbourhood to north coastal Andhra Pradesh, and another trough from south Tamil Nadu to north Konkan. The IMD has issued a yellow warning for several districts of Telangana for next three days. Thunder showers are very likely to occur at many places over Telangana from March 17 to March 19. On March 17, thunderstorm accompanied with lightning, hailstorm and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are very likely to occur at isolated places in the districts Nizamabad, Jagityal, Rajanna Sircilla, Nalgonda, Mahabubabad, Warangal, Hanamkonda, Siddipet, Yadadri Bhuvangiri, Rangareddy, Hyderabad, Medchal Malkajigiri, Vikarabad, Sangareddy, Medak, Kamareddy and Nagarkurnool. Thunderstorms accompanied with lightning, gusty winds are very likely to occur at isolated places in the remaining districts of Telangana. For March 18, the IMD has forecast heavy rains at isolated places in the districts Jagityal, Rajanna Sirsilla, Jayashankar Bhupalapally, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Warangal, Janagaon, Yadadri Bhuvangiri, Vikarabad and Nagarkurnool

MLC poll: BJP-affiliated unions candidate in lead

The election was necessitated as the term of the sitting MLC Janardhan Reddy was ending on March 29. HYDERABAD: A Venkata Narayana Reddy, the candidate of the BJP-affiliated teachers union, was leading the Mahabubnagar-Rangareddy-Hyderabad Teachers MLC constituency poll till the last reports came in. The counting began at 8 am on Thursday. PRTU former general secretary G Chennakeshava Reddy was trailing with a margin of 1,312 votes. State United Teachers Federation candidate P Manik Reddy was in third place, while former MLC Katepalli Janardhan Reddy was trailing way behind. As many as 21 candidates are in the fray for the MLC poll, including 16 independent candidates. The election was necessitated as the term of the sitting MLC Janardhan Reddy was ending on March 29. The election to the said Teachers Constituency was conducted on March 13. The poll percentage was recorded at 90.4% with as many as 29,720 registered voters in the nine districts including Mahabubnagar, Narayanpet, Nagarkurnool, Jogulamba-Gadwal, Wanaparthy, Rangareddy, Vikarabad, Medchal-Malkajgiri and Hyderabad.

Hailstorms lash parts of Telangana, 3 killed in lightning

The weather conditions weree attributed to the trough from Bangladesh and neighbourhood to north coastal Andhra Pradesh across Gangetic West Bengal and Odisha. HYDERABAD/SANGAREDDY/KARIMNAGAR: Even as unseasonal rains lashed several parts of the State, including the capital city of Hyderabad, bringing normal life to a standstill, hailstorm accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds hit parts of Kohir, Zaheerabad and Vikarabad on Thursday. In Palamuru region, three persons died after being struck by lightning at three different places. Vanguru Lakshmi, a resident of Chityal village in Wanaparthy district, went to Penchikalpadu village of Pebbair mandal along with her husband and son to graze sheep. At around 3 pm, lightening struck, killing her on the spot. Two women caught in heavy rain in Karimnagar; In Lingasanipally village of Bijinapally mandal in Nagarkurnool district, another shepherd Balakrishna died after being struck by lightning. A farmer died in a similar incident in Aragidda village of Ghattu mandal in Jogulamba Gadwal district. Heavy rains were reported in several parts of the erstwhile Medak district. Along with Kohir, Zaheerabad also received heavy rainfall. Following the hailstorm, many netizens took to the social media and posted pictures of them enjoying Switzerland or Kashmir like weather. On the negative side, sugarcane, sorghum and maize crops were damaged in Bilalpur, Badampeta, Maniyarpally and other villages in Kohir mandal. Several mango plantations were also affected by the heavy rains. In Hyderabad, moderate to heavy rainfall resulted in traffic jams. Shankarpalle witnessed the highest rainfall of 4.6 cm, followed by Rajendranagar (4.3 cm) and Kangal in Nalgonda (4.3 cm). Vehicular traffic came to a standstill in areas like Punjagutta Junction, Paradise Circle, Khairatabad and Ameerpet in the evening hours. Karimnagar, Huzurabad and surrounding areas also witnessed heavy rains. In Karimnagar city, heavy downpour resulted in several roads getting waterlogged, resulting in traffic jams. Electricity supply was cut off for about an hour in the city to prevent any untoward incidents. More rains predicted The weather conditions weree attributed to the trough from Bangladesh and neighbourhood to north coastal Andhra Pradesh across Gangetic West Bengal and Odisha. Under its influence, heavy rainfall accompanied by heavy winds, thunder and hailstorm, is expected to continue in the State in the next two days. According to IMD, thunderstorm accompanied with lightning, hailstorm and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) very likely to occur at isolated places in Nizamabad, Jagtial, Sircilla, Nalgonda, Mahabubabad, Warangal, Hanamkonda, Siddipet, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Rangareddy, Hyderabad, Medchal Malkajgiri, Vikarabad, Sangareddy, Medak, Kamareddy and Nagarkurnool on Friday. CMs directive On CM K Chandrashekhar Raos instructions, Agriculture Minister S Niranjan Reddy and Rythu Bandhu Samithi chief Palla Rajeshwar Reddy will visit affected villages on Friday and inspect the severity of crop loss.

Telangana BJP chief hand behind question paper leak: BRS leader Dasoju

Sravan alleged that the BJP has run out of steam due to its internal differences and hatched a conspiracy to damage the reputation of the BRS government. HYDERABAD: The BRS on Wednesday alleged that the TSPSC question paper leak was a conspiracy hatched by the BJP under its state president Bandi Sanjay. Speaking to reporters here, BRS leader Dasoju Sravan said that they had evidence to substantiate the allegation. Sravan alleged that the BJP has run out of steam due to its internal differences and hatched a conspiracy to damage the reputation of the BRS government. Rajasekhar Reddy, the accused in the question paper leak case, was a social media warrior of BJP and hails from Tatipalli in Jagtial in Karimnagar Lok Sabha constituency, represented by Bandi Sanjay, Sravan said. He alleged that Rajasekhar Reddy was a BJP activist and posted messages in favour of BJP along with the photographs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy.The BRS leader recalled that the TSPSC, since 2014, filled up 1.35 lakh jobs and there were no paper leaks. As many as 13 Service Commissions visited the State to follow the model of TSPSC. The paper was leaked now, as the BJP conspired against the government, Sravan said, pointing to a recent statement by Sanjay that the BRS government was alienating the youth from BJP by issuing job notifications. There is a secret agenda of the BJP behind the paper leak. Sanjay has to reply, Sravan demanded. Caste politics: Vemula Meanwhile, addressing a meeting at Telangana Bhavan after welcoming several people from Kurnool and Nandyal from AP into the BRS fold, Roads and Buildings Minister Vemula Prashanth Reddy alleged that the two main political parties in Andhra Pradesh focused mainly on caste-based politics and ignored the development of the State. The caste in power target the other caste in AP. Instead of indulging in caste-based politics, the two parties might have concentrated on the welfare and development of the people, he said.BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao is committed to the development of AP. Even during the separate Telangana movement, Rao never spoke against Andhra people, Prasanth Reddy claimed.Singapore with a small coastline witnessed rapid development while AP, with a huge coastline, could not achieve much progress, Prasanth Reddy said. Why now, asks Sravan BRS leader Dasoju Sravan said that the TSPSC, since 2014, filled up 1.35 lakh jobs and there were no paper leaks

Pilot project on the anvil for heart patients

State govt is all set to implement a programme to provide medical services to heart patients during golden hour VIJAYAWADA: The State government is set to implement an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) programme to provide state-of-the-art medical services to people suffering from heart-related issues during golden hour. Lack of proper facilities at hospitals often leads to delay in investigating cardiac issues, further resulting in death. M Venkata Sundaraiah of G Konduru village in NTR district died while being shifted to a hospital in Vijayawada as the condition of his heart could not be assessed at hospitals near his village. According to official statistics, there are around 38 lakh people suffering from heart issues in the State and mortality rate among them is 32% per year. To prevent such deaths, the government is likely to enter into a pact with Chennai-based STEMI India by the end of March. The organisation has expanded its services in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Jharkhand. As a pilot project, the government will develop hospitals in Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Vijayawada, Guntur, Tirupati, Kurnool and Anantapur as hub centres, while area and district hospitals, besides teaching hospitals with no cath labs, will be developed as spoke centres. Under phase-one of the pilot project, the government will spend Rs 120 crore to set up cath labs at government teaching hospitals in Kurnool and Kakinada, while it will purchase ECG machines and injections used for thrombolysis in bulk for hospitals that will be developed as spokes. Principal secretary (health) MT Krishna Babu explained, We will run the pilot project for three to four months and extend it to the entire State with the help of private hospitals in Arogyasri network. Of the total, 91 hospitals have cath labs. The pilot project will begin within three months after commencement of training for doctors and para-medical staff. We have experienced cardiologists in the State and will start the programme even before an MoU with STEMI India is signed. Under the programme, physicians and paramedical staff at spoke centres will be trained in treating patients with cardiac issues by conducting ECG tests. Doctors at spoke centres will do the ECG test for patients who complain of heart problems and send the reports electronically to hub hospitals. After taking suggestions from the expert, doctors at spoke centres will proceed with thrombolysis as even a delay of half hour can damage the cardiac muscle by 50%. Following this, health personnel will have 24 hours to shift the patient for further investigation or surgery, if needed, increasing the chances to save the patient. Elaborating, Krishna Babu said, We are taking measures to save people from heart-related deaths by developing government hospitals to serve them during the golden hour. Injections for thrombolysis, costing over Rs 30,000 each, are also being procured in bulk at an estimated price of Rs 20,000 for spoke centres.

Awards for performance by policemen in Kurnool - The Hindu

Awards for performance by policemen in Kurnool The Hindu

KTR appoints special team to coordinate BRS activities

Rama Rao also directed the pink partys students wing to undertake a membership registration drive. HYDERABAD:BRS working president KT Rama Rao has appointed a special team of leaders to effectively coordinate the partys programmes and activities to be held across the State in the next two to three months. During a teleconference, he had with the partys district presidents and general secretaries, a wide range of programmes were formulated to ensure peoples representatives stay in constant touch with the public with an objective to strengthen the bond between ground-level activists and State level leaders. In the coming months, the ruling BRS plans to conduct several programmesacross the State, including Atmeeya Sammelans, Dr BR Ambedkars birth anniversary celebrations, and BRS foundation day celebrations. Rama Rao also directed the pink partys students wing to undertake amembership registration drive. The special team appointed by Rama Rao will coordinate with the partys district presidents and local MLAs to conduct the programmes. He also directed the newly appointed in-charges to hold meetings with MLAs of the district allotted to them and discuss the implementation of the programmes. District-wise in-charges Wanaparthy, Jogulamba-Gadwal:T Ravindar Rao, MLC Medchal: Palla Rajeshwar Reddy, MLC Karimnagar, Rajanna-Sircilla: Baswaraju Saraiah, MLC Nalgonda: Kadiyam Srihari, MLC Vikarabad: P Srinivas Reddy, MLC Rangareddy: L Ramana, MLC Bhadradri-Kothagudem:Bhanuprasad, MLC Sangareddy: Venkatram Reddy, MLC Medak: Yegge Mallesham, MLC Mahbubnagar, Narayanapet:Kasireddy Narayan Reddy, MLC Yadadri Bhuvanagiri : Yadava Reddy, MLC Nagarkurnool: P Mahender Reddy, MLC Bhupalpally, Mulugu: A Narsa Reddy, ex-MLC Siddipet: B Venkateshwarlu, Gen Sec Hanumkonda, Warangal: MS Prabhakar, Government Whip Nirmal, Adilabad: V Gangadhar Goud, MLC Mancherial, Kumurambheem-Asifabad: N Laxman Former MLC Jangaon: Koti Reddy, MLC Mahbubabad: P Satish, former MLC Kamareddy: Dande Vithal, MLC Nizamabad: Banda Prakash, MLC Jagtial: Koleti Damodar, Party Secretary Peddapally: Errolla Srinivas Hyderabad: Dasoju Sravan Khammam: S Subhash Reddy, MLC Suryapet: Mettu Srinivas

13-year-old Dalit girl student dies by suicide in Telangana govt residential school

CRIME Parents of thirteen-year-old girl Nikitha, hailing from a Dalit community, have accused the principal and staff of harassing the student. PIXCY A Class 7 student of the Government Social Welfare School in Nagakurnool district of Telangana died by suicide on Monday, March 6. The incident has sparked protests against the school and the parents of 13-year-old girl Nikitha, hailing from a Dalit community, have accused the principal and staff of harassing the student. Amrabad Police told TNM that a case has been registered as the death happened under suspicious circumstances. According to media reports, the school management believes that Nikitha took the extreme step as she was upset over misunderstandings with her friends. However the parents and protestors are alleging that Nikitha was subjected to harassment by the principal and staff of the institution. They have also alleged that the parents were informed about her death several hours later. Nikitha passed away at 2 pm on Monday, but the parents were informed around 7 pm. It was past midnight when the body was sent to post-mortem examination, said Srinivaslu, Achampet Assembly constituency in-charge of Bahujan Samaj Party, told TNM. He also alleged that the police resorted to baton charging against protesters. If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families. Tamil Nadu State health department's suicide helpline: 104 Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in Tamil Nadu) Andhra Pradesh Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930 Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584 Karnataka Sahai (24-hour): 080 65000111, 080 65000222 Kerala Maithri: 0484 2540530 Chaithram: 0484 2361161 Both are 24-hour helpline numbers. Telangana State government's suicide prevention (tollfree): 104 Roshni: 040 66202000, 6620200 SEVA: 09441778290, 040 27504682 (between 9 am and 7 pm) Aasara offers support to individuals and families during an emotional crisis, for those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and to those undergoing trauma after the suicide of a loved one. 24x7 Helpline: 9820466726 Click here for working helplines across India.

Andhra Pradesh: Man hacks son-in-law to death in Kurnool over family disputes - The Hans India

Andhra Pradesh: Man hacks son-in-law to death in Kurnool over family disputes The Hans India

Hyderabad: Construction worker stabbed to death

Hyderabad: A construction worker was stabbed to death at Wadi e Omer Pahadishareef on Wednesday at midnight by some persons. The deceased Pavan lived at Wadi e Omer and is a native of Amangal Nagarkurnool district. On the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday around 12.30 a.m., the man came out of his house to 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 .

Power Grid Corporation approves 4,070 cr. investment in Kurnool

Power Grid Corporation approves 4,070 cr. investment in Kurnool - The Hindu

Power Grid Corporation approves 4,070 cr. investment in Kurnool The Hindu

Gurukul student ends life, parents allege harassment

Days after 16-year-old Nagula Sathwik's suicide in a Narsingi junior college led to an uproar across Telangana, a class VII student allegedly took her life at the Mannanur gurukul residential school in Nagarkurnool district. Parents and relatives of the girl alleged that she took the extreme step due to harassment by school staff.

Earthquake tremors felt in Kurnool, several houses damaged - ap7am

Earthquake tremors felt in Kurnool, several houses damaged ap7am

Andhra Pradesh: About 50K students gear up for intermediate exams in Kurnool - EdexLive

Andhra Pradesh: About 50K students gear up for intermediate exams in Kurnool EdexLive

Spread of virus scares denizens of Kurnool city

As per World Organization for Animal Health, Dr Nagaraju said swines are the only species susceptible to the swine flu virus.