The biggest battle of votes in Telangana since the General Elections 20 months back, was palpable marked by voters’ indifference. less than half of the 7.2 million voters turned up to exercise their franchise in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections on Tuesday. While all the major parties, including the ruling TRS went out of their way to woo the electorate, the middle class urban voters remained unmoved as most of the 8,000 polling stations were deserted specially in the new city area.
State election commissioner Nagi Reddy said the polling passed off without any major untoward incident. DGP Anurag Sharma said that the situation was peaceful and polling was held smoothly.
In the MIM dominated old city the voter turnout was better as long queues were seen on the polling stations.
Tension prevailed in Mir Chowk area after heated argument between local MIM MlA Syed Ahmad Pasha Quadri and Congress candidate from Puranapul Md Ghouse. Both the leaders were arrested. State Congress president Uttam Kumar Reddy rushed to Mir Chowk police station to protest the arrest of his party candidate.
Among film stars, N Balakrishna, NTR Junior, Nagarjuna and Allu Arjun also cast their votes.
Elaborate security arrangements were made by deploying 26,000 police personnel. Votes will be counted on Friday.