Revanth Reddy Files Nomination Papers as Campaigning Begins for Assembly Elections

HYDERABAD: TPCC chief A. Revanth Reddy was among the first to file his papers for the hotly-contested November 30  elections for the 119-seat Assembly began on Friday. The process for the November 30 elections, with the BRS seeking a hat-trick, began with the filing of nominations on Friday.

The next 27 days would see an unprecedented campaign with leaders led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, minister K.T. Rama Rao, state Congress presidents A. Revanth Reddy and his BJP counterpart G. Kishan Reddy, chief ministers from the BJP and Opposition-ruled states, a flood of political leaders from across the spectrum as well as film stars. The results would be declared on December 3.
The BRS has announced candidates for 116 constituencies the Congress for 100 and the BJP 88. The CPM is going it alone, the CPI is undecided on its alliance with the Congress.

Former minister Tummala Nageswara Rao of the Congress from Khammam and former MLA Aleti Maheshwar Reddy of the BJP were among those who filed their papers.

Revanth Reddy's brother A. Tirupathi Reddy and Kodangal former MLA R. Gurunath Reddy, who joined the Congress from the BRS recently, filed the nomination paper on behalf of Revanth Reddy from Kodangal constituency.
Along with nomination paper, the candidate has to file an affidavit in Form 26 declaring information about criminal antecedents, assets, liabilities and education qualifications.

Returning Officers (ROs) in all the 119 Assembly constituencies issued public notice in Form-1, specifying the details of names of assistant returning officers (AROs) who will receive nominations and place for taking nominations that is the office of returning officer.

The ROs will receive nominations on all working days between 11 am and 3 pm until November 10.

Scrutiny of nominations will be done on November 13 and the last date for withdrawal of nominations will be November 15.

Only three vehicles are allowed in the candidate's convoy within the periphery of 100 metres to the returning officer's office; only five persons including the candidate are allowed inside the room.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Chief Electoral Officer Vikas Raj said that banks were not supporting the income-tax department in sharing information about suspicious transactions on a daily basis.

He also said that the EC did not receive any proposal from the state government so far on disbursing Rythu Bandhu amount in the accounts of farmers
The CEO directed the candidates to open a separate bank account on their name and use it, as per EC rules, for election-related expenditure.

At the time of filing nominations and affidavits, the contesting candidates must verify and file affidavits. If any violations are found, action to be initiated.

Polling would be held from 7 am to 5 pm except in 13 constituencies in Maoist-affected areas where it would finish one hour early.