KCR, Top Leaders Join Poll Race

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao led the race on the penultimate day of filing nominations on Thursday, filing his papers from Gajwel and Kamareddy.

Others who filed their papers were ministers T. Harish Rao, Talasani Srinivas Yadav, BRS MP Kotha Prabhakar Reddy, Congress leaders Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, and from the BJP Etala Rajendar, Mynampalli Rohit and N.V.S.S. Prabhakar.

Most leaders addressed well-attended public meetings.

Some candidates chose novel ways. Patancheru BJP candidate T. Nandeeswar Goud’s bulldozer rally was a highlight, taking inspiration from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s ‘bulldozer raj’ style of governance.

He said that if the BJP formed the government, it would bulldoze the illegal activities of incumbent MLA G. Mahipal Reddy. “We will bulldoze Mahipal Reddy's illegal buildings and constructions with bulldozers,” Nandeeswar Goud said.

Congress candidate Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy lost track of time while holding a rally in Munugode, and almost missed the auspicious time set by astrologers. After being alerted, he got down from the campaign vehicle and ran to the nomination office.

Minister K.T. Rama Rao was involved in a notable, albeit unfortunate, incident on the day, as he narrowly escaped unhurt when the platform of his poll vehicle collapsed when the driver applied brakes to the vehicle upon spotting electricity wires lying on the road.

Jeevan Reddy filed his nomination later, while Rama Rao headed to Kodangal for a poll campaign, after posting on social media that he was doing fine.

BRS MLC K. Kavita also participated in a nomination rally in Bodhan, riding pillion on a two-wheeler vehicle in Nizamabad.