The Indian National Congress is set to form its government in Telangana as it crosses the majority mark of 60 seats, as per the Election Commission of India.
In Telangana's Kamareddy district, the BJP achieved a surprising double victory, as its candidate KV Ramana Reddy has defeated both the incumbent Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and the recently appointed state leader of the Congress, Revanth Reddy.
Telangana's Minister and Chief Minister KCR's son, KT Rama Rao, has acknowledged the defeat of his party, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), in the state's assembly elections. Expressing a mix of resilience and disappointment, he assured that the party would bounce back despite the unexpected outcome.
Not sad, but disappointed, says KT Rama Rao
In a statement, KT Rama Rao said that while he is not sad about the election results, he is undoubtedly disappointed as they did not align with the party's expectations.
Despite the setback, he conveyed his congratulations to the Congress party on securing the mandate and wished them good luck.
"Congratulations to the Congress party on winning the mandate. Wishing you Good Luck," he posted on X, formerly Twitter.
BRS's historic loss to Congress
For the first time since its inception in 2014, Telangana witnessed a shift in power as the Bharat Rashtra Samithi voted for the Congress.
The halfway mark for a majority in the Telangana assembly is 60.
With the Congress gaining ground, K Chandrashekar Rao's ambition of achieving a hattrick in the Telangana assembly elections has been shattered. The unexpected turn of events signifies a significant political shift in the state.
The Congress campaign in Telangana gained momentum following Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra and the party's previous victory in the assembly polls in neighboring Karnataka. This strategic approach contributed to their success in the Telangana elections.
Elections set the tone for 2024
These elections have set the tone for the upcoming 2024 polls, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress engaging in intense contests in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh.
In Telangana, the electoral battleground primarily featured a direct contest between the Congress and K Chandrashekhar Rao-led Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
Additionally, the Election Commission has directed the suspension of the Director General of Police in Telangana for violating the model code of conduct, according to PTI.
(With inputs from agencies)