Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh's ruling Congress party and the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) were Thursday ahead in the Hyderabad civic polls with the opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) trailing in third position.
Counting of votes for the election held Monday began at 8 a.m. The Congress had won 17 seats and was leading in 11 while the MIM had bagged 15 seats and was ahead in four. The TDP was at third place with 10 seats and leading in four.
About 43 percent of 5.7 million voters had cast their votes in the elections for the 150-member Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).
Though Congress and MIM do not have an alliance, they are likely to enter into a post-poll agreement for election of mayor and deputy mayor to be held on Dec 4.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has so far won only one seat and is leading in another. The Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) of actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi and Lok Satta floated by former bureaucrat Jayaprakash Narayan are yet to open their account.
This the first test of strength for the political parties after the April-May elections to the state assembly and the Lok Sabha. The elections also come in a changed political scenario following the Sep 2 death of former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy in a helicopter crash.
This is the first municipal election after Greater Hyderabad was created in 2007 after merging eight municipalities and 12 villages of neighbouring districts with Hyderabad.
This has made Greater Hyderabad the second biggest urban agglomerate in the country after New Delhi in terms of area (621.48 sq km).
The last election to the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH) was held in 2002. The TDP, which was in power in the state, had won majority of the seats in the then 100-member body in alliance with BJP. The TDP candidate was elected mayor in the direct elections held to the post.
This time the newly-elected corporators and ex-officio members (state legislators and MPs) will elect the mayor.
Showing posts with label Greater Hyderabad Elections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Greater Hyderabad Elections. Show all posts
Thursday, November 26, 2009
TDP to lead all-party team to Delhi
HYDERABAD: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) will lead an all-party delegation to Delhi tomorrow to mobilise the support of various parties against illegal mining.
TDP will press for a review of mining policy and demand State takeover of mines or call for global bids for allotting mining leases. The party is of the opinion that mining money should reach the exchequer and should not be pocketed by some invidiuals.
TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu, who held an all-party meeting at his residence this evening, demanded that all the officers involved in the Obulapuram Mining Company’s irregularities should be arrested and prosecuted. He demanded that Mining and Forest ministers should resign or the Chief Minister should sack them from the Cabinet.
He also sought an all-party meeting to finalise the terms of references of CBI probe into the OMC’s irregularities.
All files relating to mining activities of OMC should be placed before the State Legislative Assembly Speaker for the scrutiny of all leaders, Naidu demanded.
CPM State secretary BV Raghavulu said that the State Government ordered stopping of mining in Anantapur district as it had no other option on hand.
He demanded a probe into all other illegal mining activities in the State.
CPI leader K Ramakrishna said that the State Government’s directive to stop mining in Anantapur vindicated the Opposition’s stand that there were irregularities in the iron ore mines of OMC.
TDP will press for a review of mining policy and demand State takeover of mines or call for global bids for allotting mining leases. The party is of the opinion that mining money should reach the exchequer and should not be pocketed by some invidiuals.
TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu, who held an all-party meeting at his residence this evening, demanded that all the officers involved in the Obulapuram Mining Company’s irregularities should be arrested and prosecuted. He demanded that Mining and Forest ministers should resign or the Chief Minister should sack them from the Cabinet.
He also sought an all-party meeting to finalise the terms of references of CBI probe into the OMC’s irregularities.
All files relating to mining activities of OMC should be placed before the State Legislative Assembly Speaker for the scrutiny of all leaders, Naidu demanded.
CPM State secretary BV Raghavulu said that the State Government ordered stopping of mining in Anantapur district as it had no other option on hand.
He demanded a probe into all other illegal mining activities in the State.
CPI leader K Ramakrishna said that the State Government’s directive to stop mining in Anantapur vindicated the Opposition’s stand that there were irregularities in the iron ore mines of OMC.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Only 42.92% denizens turned up to cast votes
HYDERABAD: Of 56,99,015 (57 lakh approximately) voters, only 24,08,001 citizens exercised their franchise in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal
Corporation (GHMC) elections held on Monday. In other words, only 42.92 per cent voters turned up to cast their votes.
Incidentally, even during the 2002 polls to the then Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH), 43 per cent of the voters had exercised their franchise.
The GHMC authorities and State Election Commission (SEC) had initially estimated that the polled votes per cent would be around 48 per cent. However, final figures came as a rude shock to both political parties and contestants.
Aliabad division in the Old City recorded the highest voting percentage, 62.13 per cent votes, while Moghalpura logged 60.11 per cent. These were the only two divisions which registered over 60 per cent turnout. On the other hand, Vijayanagar Colony and Red Hills recorded 27.15 per cent and 27.84 per cent respectively, lowest in the city.
Interestingly, Kapra division, where most employees, reside had registered only 31.11 per cent polling. Upmarket areas like Jubilee Hills and Banjara Hills recorded only 39 and 37 per cent respectively.
Corporation (GHMC) elections held on Monday. In other words, only 42.92 per cent voters turned up to cast their votes.
Incidentally, even during the 2002 polls to the then Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH), 43 per cent of the voters had exercised their franchise.
The GHMC authorities and State Election Commission (SEC) had initially estimated that the polled votes per cent would be around 48 per cent. However, final figures came as a rude shock to both political parties and contestants.
Aliabad division in the Old City recorded the highest voting percentage, 62.13 per cent votes, while Moghalpura logged 60.11 per cent. These were the only two divisions which registered over 60 per cent turnout. On the other hand, Vijayanagar Colony and Red Hills recorded 27.15 per cent and 27.84 per cent respectively, lowest in the city.
Interestingly, Kapra division, where most employees, reside had registered only 31.11 per cent polling. Upmarket areas like Jubilee Hills and Banjara Hills recorded only 39 and 37 per cent respectively.
GHMC voters enjoy holiday, give poll a miss
HYDERABAD: Poll fatigue appears to have set in among the citizens of Greater Hyderabad as less than 48 per cent of the total 57 lakh voters cast
their votes in a low-key but peaceful polls to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) on Monday. Votes will be counted on November 26 and results are expected by afternoon.
While election officials blamed the thin attendance at many of the 5,718 booths on winter, polling agents attributed it to the extended holiday (Saturday, Sunday and Monday) prompting families to opt for a vacation instead.
But for many, it was election fatigue. “We are still recovering from the hype and hoopla over the general and assembly elections in April when another election comes along,” said A Hanumantha Rao from Punjagutta who gave this poll a miss.
Of the 150 municipal divisions, most in the Old City recorded a high turnout of 55-64 per cent, while Vijayanagar Colony and Red Hills registered a turnout of a little over 27 per cent. This year’s total turnout (48 per cent) was higher than the 2002 municipal elections (43 per cent). But it was much lower than the 56 per cent in the Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts during the assembly and general elections held in April this year.
But for minor incidents of violence, stone pelting and candidates charging their rivals with circulating money, the polling was peaceful. Police seized Rs 10,000 from Mehdipatnam BJP candidate Bangaru Prakash, while the TDP lodged a complaint with the state EC that R Ravinder Reddy, Loksatta candidate from Bagh Lingampally, was distributing money.
Officials said repolling is likely in one booth in Defence Colony where votes cast were more than the electorate. In a few booths in Serilingampally and Kukatpally, polling went beyond the closing time of 5 pm because of long queues.
While in some booths there was a delay due to technical glitches involving EVMs, in many others there were complaints of lack of space compromising vote secrecy.
their votes in a low-key but peaceful polls to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) on Monday. Votes will be counted on November 26 and results are expected by afternoon.
While election officials blamed the thin attendance at many of the 5,718 booths on winter, polling agents attributed it to the extended holiday (Saturday, Sunday and Monday) prompting families to opt for a vacation instead.
But for many, it was election fatigue. “We are still recovering from the hype and hoopla over the general and assembly elections in April when another election comes along,” said A Hanumantha Rao from Punjagutta who gave this poll a miss.
Of the 150 municipal divisions, most in the Old City recorded a high turnout of 55-64 per cent, while Vijayanagar Colony and Red Hills registered a turnout of a little over 27 per cent. This year’s total turnout (48 per cent) was higher than the 2002 municipal elections (43 per cent). But it was much lower than the 56 per cent in the Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts during the assembly and general elections held in April this year.
But for minor incidents of violence, stone pelting and candidates charging their rivals with circulating money, the polling was peaceful. Police seized Rs 10,000 from Mehdipatnam BJP candidate Bangaru Prakash, while the TDP lodged a complaint with the state EC that R Ravinder Reddy, Loksatta candidate from Bagh Lingampally, was distributing money.
Officials said repolling is likely in one booth in Defence Colony where votes cast were more than the electorate. In a few booths in Serilingampally and Kukatpally, polling went beyond the closing time of 5 pm because of long queues.
While in some booths there was a delay due to technical glitches involving EVMs, in many others there were complaints of lack of space compromising vote secrecy.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
It’s final: GHMC elections on Nov 23
HYDERABAD: The poll bugle has been sounded for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections. Putting an end to a two month-long suspense, the State Election Commission on Wednesday announced the schedule for GHMC polls to be held on November 23. Votes will be counted on November 26.
Addressing a packed media conference at his office on Thursday, State Election Commissioner AVS Reddy stated that the elections will be held for 150 wards in GHMC limits and a formal notification will be issued in this regard on October 31. Candidates can file the nominations from October 31 and the last date for submission of nomination is November 6. The scrutiny of nominations will be on November 7 and the last date for withdrawal of nominations is on November 10. The final list of candidates will be published on the same day.
On November 23, the polling will be held from 7 am to 5 pm where Electronic Voting Machines will be used for the first time in local body elections.
Election to the offices of Mayor and Deputy Mayor of GHMC will be conducted on December 6 for which a formal notification will be issued on December 2. In case the election cannot be held on December 6, it will be held on December 7. The model code of conduct has come into force from 4 pm on Wednesday. The State Election Commission is preparing a special circular to avoid interruptions to government programmes.
“Hyderabad being the State capital, there are certain problems or limitations in implementing the model code of conduct. There are several Statewide programmes which will be affected due to the model code of conduct.
The State Election Commission is preparing a circular in this context without interrupting such regular programmes. However, we request everyone, including political parties and the media not to blow issues out of proportion keeping in view the larger interests of the public,” said AVS Reddy.
Total number of Wards 150
Reserved 92
Unreserved 58
Total number of electors 54,26,106
Male 28,35,578
Female 25,90,528
Total Polling St ations 5,663
Men 1,239
Women 1,184
General 2,962
Auxiliary 278
Sensitive 560
Hyper sensitive 465
EVMs to be used 15,000
Polling personnel 48,000
Rosaiah rides the poll wagon
Chief Minister K Rosaiah had a hectic day on Wednesday laying foundation stones and inaugurating development schemes across the city, thus raising the curtain for the hustle and bustle of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections.
In his maiden tour of Greater Hyderabad, Rosaiah accompanied by Union Minister for Urban Development S Jaipal Reddy, his Cabinet colleagues, MLAs and MPs promised all things to all people. Rosaiah’s tour started at ACS Nagar in East Marredpally where he laid the foundation stone for JNNURM Housing Colony.
Health Minister for Health D Nagender, Minister for Backward Classes Mukesh Goud, Home Minister Sabita Indra Reddy, Secunderabad MLA Jayasudha, Secunderabad MP Anjan Kumar Yadav participated in the tour.
YSR wishes ko salaam
“As per the wishes of the late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, we will construct houses under the JNNURM with proper infrastructural facilities.
If the beneficiary invests Rs 1 lakh, we will pay the remaining Rs 3 lakh to help him complete his house,” Chief Minister K Rosaiah said. “Under JNNURM, Rs 4,000 crore has been spent to develop localities under GHMC in the last few years,” he said adding that 1.2 lakh houses would be built. A foundation stone was laid for the IDH Colony near Bhoiguda.
Three reservoirs
Proposals for three reservoirs by HMWS&SB at Chilkalguda, Chanchalguda and Santhoshnagar acquired life with the Chief Minister laying the foundation stones for them.
Suburbs in focus
In the suburbs, foundation stones were laid for many infrastructure projects.
They included road-widening works between Ambedkar University and Kavuri Hills, a new road from Madhapur to Raheja Park. The tour concluded at BHEL junction after laying a foundation stone for Central Modern Lighting from BHEL Junction to Nakka Vagu. Rosaiah talked of the upcoming joint venture of BHEL-NTPC at Srikalahasti and expansion of the Visakha steel plant.
Taatha is here!
Wherever CM Rosaiah went, children cheered him, singing songs and addressing him as grandfather (taatha). Surprisingly, the Chief Minister disappointed locals in all the locations he visited, by not interacting with them. Many wanted to have a word or two with the newly-appointed CM but Rosaiah did not seem to have the time.
No politics please
Rosaiah steered clear of any political statements throughout his tour. He did not hit out at the Opposition parties like the TDP or TRS or their leaders. He confined himself to stating what the government was doing.
TDP opposes grading system in SSC exams
HYDERABAD: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) today opposed the grading system in SSC examinations saying that it would become a problem in Government recruitments.
Speaking to reporters here today, TDP leader Gali Muddu Krishnama Naidu said that recruitment of RTC conductors, attenders, record assistants would be made on the marks obtained in the SSC examinations.
If the grading system is introduced, the recruitment would open d o o r s fo r large scale corruption, he feared.
He recalled that a similar GO was issued during the TDP regime, but the then Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu cancelled it in the larger interests of job-aspirants.
He demanded that the State Government should take the opinion of teachers’ associations and convene an all-party meeting before implementing the grading system.
He found fault with the Government for not filling of 14,000 teacher posts, which were already notified in the DSC-2008. The Government is finding lame excuses and to fill these posts notified under DSC-2008, he alleged.
Several schools in the State lack basic facilities like drinking water, toilets, buildings and even teachers, he said and added that the new universities set up recently did not have even buildings and proper infrastructure.
Speaking to reporters here today, TDP leader Gali Muddu Krishnama Naidu said that recruitment of RTC conductors, attenders, record assistants would be made on the marks obtained in the SSC examinations.
If the grading system is introduced, the recruitment would open d o o r s fo r large scale corruption, he feared.
He recalled that a similar GO was issued during the TDP regime, but the then Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu cancelled it in the larger interests of job-aspirants.
He demanded that the State Government should take the opinion of teachers’ associations and convene an all-party meeting before implementing the grading system.
He found fault with the Government for not filling of 14,000 teacher posts, which were already notified in the DSC-2008. The Government is finding lame excuses and to fill these posts notified under DSC-2008, he alleged.
Several schools in the State lack basic facilities like drinking water, toilets, buildings and even teachers, he said and added that the new universities set up recently did not have even buildings and proper infrastructure.
Elections to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corp next month
Hyderabad: Battle lines have been drawn for elections to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, the first to the local body since it has come into existence, next month as the state's ruling Congress party faces the first test of popularity in post - YS Rajasekhara Reddy era.
The tenure of the general body of the erstwhile Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad, which was controlled by TDP-BJP combine, ended in February 2007 but the Congress government had put the elections on hold as it was in the process of merging 11 surrounding municipalities and some gram panchayats with MCH, thereby making it the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).
The GHMC came into being in April 2007 but the elections were postponed due to a variety of reasons, including the need for delimitation of wards and some legal wrangle.
In the 2002 elections, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) had won the Mayor post in a direct election in alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party which took the Deputy Mayor's post.
Majlis Ittehadul-e-Muslimeen (MIM) won 36 out of the 100 seats while TDP-BJP combine won 38 seats. Congress won 20.
Telangana Rashtra Samiti and Majlis Bachao Tehreek won two seats each while Telangana Sadhana Samiti won one seat.
Post-delimitation, GHMC has 150 seats and no electoral alliance has been formed between any party so far this time for the November 23 poll.
TDP is likely to align with Left parties for the election while Congress and MIM are likely to extend their tacit understanding for the GHMC polls as well.Lok Satta Party and Praja Rajyam Party--all new entrants in GHMC poll fray-?are likely to contest the elections on their own.
Congress starts the GHMC poll race with an advantage as the Mayor will be elected indirectly. The party has 14 MLAs, seven MPs and nine MLCs who, as ex-officio members of the GHMC, will decide who becomes the city Mayor.
Congress is going to the people on the development plank claiming it has launched projects worth Rs 5,555 crore in the last five years for the development of the city.
Though the ruling party claims that more than Rs600 crore worth of work has already been completed, the condition of roads, poor traffic management, sanitation conditions, erratic power and drinking water supply could weaken Congress' claims.
Both TDP and BJP have challenged the Congress to a debate on the development of Hyderabad saying not a single project worth the name has been completed in the last five years.
"Congress will have to do a lot of answering on the Hyderabad Metro Rail Project, the failure in taking up the second phase of Multi-Modal Transit System and the housing schemes", says BJP floor leader G Kishan Reddy.
State health minister and Greater Hyderabad Congress Committee president Danam Nagender, however, exuded confidence that the party would win 100 out of 150 seats in GHMC elections. "This will be a tribute to our late chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy and a gift to chief minister K Rosaiah," Nagender said.TDP has ruled out any truck with TRS for GHMC elections and said it would talk to Left parties for forging an alliance. It also indicated willingness to an alliance with actor Chiranjeevi's Praja Rajyam Party if the latter came up with a proposal.
"We will get 100 seats in this elections since it is our party that has developed Hyderabad to this level," TDP politburo member Nagam Janardhana Reddy claimed.
The tenure of the general body of the erstwhile Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad, which was controlled by TDP-BJP combine, ended in February 2007 but the Congress government had put the elections on hold as it was in the process of merging 11 surrounding municipalities and some gram panchayats with MCH, thereby making it the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).
The GHMC came into being in April 2007 but the elections were postponed due to a variety of reasons, including the need for delimitation of wards and some legal wrangle.
In the 2002 elections, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) had won the Mayor post in a direct election in alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party which took the Deputy Mayor's post.
Majlis Ittehadul-e-Muslimeen (MIM) won 36 out of the 100 seats while TDP-BJP combine won 38 seats. Congress won 20.
Telangana Rashtra Samiti and Majlis Bachao Tehreek won two seats each while Telangana Sadhana Samiti won one seat.
Post-delimitation, GHMC has 150 seats and no electoral alliance has been formed between any party so far this time for the November 23 poll.
TDP is likely to align with Left parties for the election while Congress and MIM are likely to extend their tacit understanding for the GHMC polls as well.Lok Satta Party and Praja Rajyam Party--all new entrants in GHMC poll fray-?are likely to contest the elections on their own.
Congress starts the GHMC poll race with an advantage as the Mayor will be elected indirectly. The party has 14 MLAs, seven MPs and nine MLCs who, as ex-officio members of the GHMC, will decide who becomes the city Mayor.
Congress is going to the people on the development plank claiming it has launched projects worth Rs 5,555 crore in the last five years for the development of the city.
Though the ruling party claims that more than Rs600 crore worth of work has already been completed, the condition of roads, poor traffic management, sanitation conditions, erratic power and drinking water supply could weaken Congress' claims.
Both TDP and BJP have challenged the Congress to a debate on the development of Hyderabad saying not a single project worth the name has been completed in the last five years.
"Congress will have to do a lot of answering on the Hyderabad Metro Rail Project, the failure in taking up the second phase of Multi-Modal Transit System and the housing schemes", says BJP floor leader G Kishan Reddy.
State health minister and Greater Hyderabad Congress Committee president Danam Nagender, however, exuded confidence that the party would win 100 out of 150 seats in GHMC elections. "This will be a tribute to our late chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy and a gift to chief minister K Rosaiah," Nagender said.TDP has ruled out any truck with TRS for GHMC elections and said it would talk to Left parties for forging an alliance. It also indicated willingness to an alliance with actor Chiranjeevi's Praja Rajyam Party if the latter came up with a proposal.
"We will get 100 seats in this elections since it is our party that has developed Hyderabad to this level," TDP politburo member Nagam Janardhana Reddy claimed.
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