Polling for three MLC seats in Telangana has concluded, with results expected on March 3. A fierce contest is anticipated between BJP’s Anji Reddy, Congress’s Narender Reddy, and BSP-backed Prasanna Harikrishna, with second and third preference votes likely to decide the winner.
HYDERABAD: Polling for two teachers’ and one graduate’s constituency MLC seats in Telangana has concluded, with vote counting scheduled for March 3.
Due to the ballot-based voting system, the final results may take two to three days to be announced. The election saw intense campaigning by candidates from major parties, with the Karimnagar-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Medak graduates’ constituency drawing significant attention.
Tough Battle in Graduates’ Constituency
Despite 56 candidates contesting, the fight in the graduates’ MLC constituency is primarily between the BJP’s Anji Reddy, Congress’s Narender Reddy, and BSP-backed independent candidate Prasanna Harikrishna. Analysts suggest that the winner is likely to be determined by second and third preference votes. While four or five candidates may remain in the final rounds, elimination rounds will decide the victor.
From the beginning of the Telangana MLC elections campaign, both the BJP and Congress conducted aggressive outreach. BJP’s Anji Reddy and Congress’s Narender Reddy have expressed confidence in their victory, citing strong party support and financial backing. The BJP believes its presence in the central government will work in its favor, while the Congress is banking on its ruling status in Telangana.
Meanwhile, Prasanna Harikrishna, contesting with BSP’s backing, has positioned himself as the candidate of the graduates, asserting confidence in his chances. Despite being an independent, he has gained significant traction among voters, leading to speculations about his potential victory.
Caste Factor and Preference Vote Dynamics
The role of caste in this election has been a major talking point, particularly among BC (Backward Classes) voters. If BC graduates unite behind a candidate from their community, Prasanna Harikrishna stands a strong chance of winning with first or second preference votes. Reports suggest that many graduates who initially leaned toward Congress but were disappointed with ticket allocations shifted their support to Prasanna Harikrishna.
While the primary battle is expected between Anji Reddy and Prasanna Harikrishna, there is growing speculation that Congress’s Narender Reddy may be limited to third place. This is further fueled by discussions that some Congress members discreetly supported Prasanna Harikrishna, leading to Congress-leaning voters casting their second preference votes for him.
How Preference Votes Could Decide the Winner
Political analysts believe Prasanna Harikrishna has a strong edge due to the way second and third preference votes are expected to be distributed:
- Congress-leaning voters who marked Narender Reddy as their first preference are likely to choose Prasanna Harikrishna as their second preference.
- Many BJP supporters who voted for Anji Reddy as their first preference may also give their second preference vote to Prasanna Harikrishna.
- Private school associations, whose candidate Shekhar Rao contested the elections, may also direct their second preference votes to Prasanna Harikrishna.
With these factors in play, there is growing speculation that Prasanna Harikrishna could emerge victorious through second-preference votes.
As the counting day approaches, all eyes are on the graduates’ constituency, where a highly competitive and unpredictable battle is unfolding. The final results of Telangana MLC elections will not only determine the winner but also reflect shifting political dynamics in Telangana.
