Polling for the Telangana Legislative Council from the Warangal- Khammam- Nalgonda Graduates’ constituency was peaceful on Monday with over 68% of eligible voters casting their votes by 4 pm in the by-election.
The by-election was needed because the sitting MLC Palla Rajeshwar Reddy resigned after winning the Assembly polls last year. The main contenders were from Congress, BJP, and BRS parties. Counting of votes will happen on June 5.
There were allegations of money distribution to voters by political party candidates at some polling stations, leading to tense situations. In Narketpally, Congress clashed with Independent candidate P Ashok Goud over money distribution. Similar incidents were reported in Khammam, Yadadri-Bhongir, and Mahbubabad districts.
In Hanamkonda, the Congress candidate Teenmar Mallanna and his supporters clashed with those questioning his presence at polling stations. In Nalgonda, there were reports of cross-voting against the Congress candidate due to dissatisfaction with Mallanna’s candidacy.
The State Election Commission had 600 polling stations and five auxiliary polling stations, with Khammam and Nalgonda having the most polling stations. Siddipet had the fewest polling stations with only five.