Telangana's first assembly election, big stakes for K Chandrasekhar Rao

Hyderabad: Millions of people in Andhra Pradesh are voting today to elect the first government of the new Telangana state that will come into being on June 2.

Nearly 3 crore voters will choose from 1,669 candidates in 119 assembly states in the Telangana region. Voting is also taking place for 17 parliamentary seats. (read: 90,000 security personnel for Telangana vote)

The Congress, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti and the Telugu Desam Party-BJP combine have the highest stakes for power in what will be India's 29th state.

Poll predictions suggest an impressive haul for the Telangana Rashtra Samiti or TRS led by K Chandrasekhar Rao, who fronted the campaign for statehood.

The Congress, which pushed for the creation of Telangana in Parliament, may end up being the biggest loser. The party failed to stitch up an alliance with the TRS, and now finds its thunder stolen by it.

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Mr Rao, popularly known as KCR, refused to partner with the Congress, though he has not ruled out an alliance after the results on May 16. More than anyone else, this election is critical for the 60-year-old who, many say, has a fighting chance of becoming Telangana's the first Chief Minister.

On Sunday, Congress president Sonia Gandhi accused Mr Rao of cheating her party and playing opportunistic politics. (read: TRS chief cheated Congress, says Sonia Gandhi)

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KCR is running for Parliament from Medak and also contesting the assembly polls from Gajwel.

The Telugu Desam Party of N Chandrababu Naidu and the BJP firmed up an alliance after days of negotiations, overriding protests from local leaders. It is seen as a masterstroke that is expected to bring the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance big returns in Seemandhra, the regions that will form residuary Andhra Pradesh.

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In Telangana too, the TDP hopes to ride on what the BJP has called the "Narendra Modi wave".

Film star Pawan Kalyan's new Jana Sena Party is not in the contest but his support is seen as a big plus for the TDP-BJP alliance.

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The YSR Congress of Jagan Reddy has fielded candidates in more than 100 assembly constituencies in Telangana, but is not expected to fare well after its strong opposition to bifurcation. (Elections: full coverage)