Filing of nominations for LS polls in Telangana begins

The process of filing nominations for the Lok Sabha elections began on Monday in Telangana which goes to the polls in the first phase on April 11.

The process began as per a notification issued for the general elections.

Nominations would be accepted till March 25 beginning Monday from 11 a.m to 3 p.m, official sources here said.

High on confidence following its resounding victory in the assembly elections last December, the ruling TRS is aiming for a clean sweep in the Lok Sabha polls.

The party has been seeking 16 Lok Sabha seats for itself and one for ally AIMIM to play a crucial role post the Parliamentary elections to ensure a better deal for Telangana.

The total number of Lok Sabha constituencies in the state is 17.

TRS president and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who kicked off the election campaign on Sunday, slammed the Congress and the BJP and favoured a federal front government at the Centre.

TRS has not announced its nominees.

Left disappointed after the desertion of several MLAs, who have joined the ruling TRS in recent times, the Congress is trying to put up a keen fight in the Parliamentary polls.

The Congress has so far announced eight candidates for the elections.

The name of state Congress president N Uttam Kumar Reddy is also reportedly under consideration as a candidate.

Faced with a humiliating defeat in the assembly elections, the BJP is hoping that the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi would help improve its prospects in the parliamentary elections.

State BJP president K Laxman said its candidates would be announced soon.