Hyderabad Civic Polls: City Votes After Intense Communal War Of Words Between Politicians
As many as 74,44,260 voters would exercise their franchise using ballot papers to elect their representatives in the 150-ward Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), according to official data.
Voting in the Hyderabad civic polls began this morning after the city witnessed a high-pitched campaign with top leaders from different parties participating.
As many as 74,44,260 voters would exercise their franchise using ballot papers to elect their representatives in the 150-ward Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), according to official data.
The polling began this morning at 7 and will end at 6pm.
The Commission had decided to conduct the election with ballot papers after obtaining the views of major political parties.
Telangana: Voting for Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to take place today. Visuals from St Faiz High School, in Hyderabad, that has been designated as a polling booth. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi will cast his vote at this booth. #GHMCElections2020 pic.twitter.com/MZ6Eu1m6V0
¡ª ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2020
#Hyderabad: AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi casts his vote for #GHMCElections2020
¡ª ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2020
"I appeal to the people of Hyderabad to cast their vote today to strengthen democracy," he says. pic.twitter.com/srF8enqPTU
The campaign in run up to elections was quite waspish with BJP unleashing a full-blown attack by sending Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, party president J P Nadda among others to campaign in the state.
War of words
The BJP highlighted the TRS' "alliance" with the AIMIM and sought votes to provide clean and transparent governance in the city.
Yogi pledged to change Hyderabad's name to Bhagyanagar if BJP is voted to power.
Addressing a rally in Hyderabad, CM Yogi Adityanath said, "Some people were asking me if Hyderabad can be renamed as Bhagyanagar. I said - why not. I told them that we renamed Faizabad as Ayodhya and Allahabad as Prayagraj after BJP came into power in UP. Then why Hyderabad can't be renamed as Bhagyanagar?"
AFP
Reacting strongly to Yogi's statement, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said, "Jo Hyderabad ka naam badalna chahta hai uski naslein tabah ho jaayengi lekin naam nahi badlega. Hum Ali ke naam leva hain, hum tumhara naam tabdeel kar denge [The ones who want to change the name of Hyderabad, their entire generation will end but Hyderabad's name won't change. We speak the name of Ali, we will change your name]."
BJP's Telangana president Bandi Sanjay Kumar landed in soup following his comments that his party would conduct a "surgical strike" in the old city here to send away Rohingyas and Pakistanis after it wins the post of Mayor in the polls.
Counting of votes will take place on December 4.
