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Tag: #Khairatabad

Danam Nagender Disqualified as Khairatabad MLA, Seat Declared Vacant

The Telangana Legislative Assembly Secretariat has issued a gazette notification declaring the Khairatabad Assembly seat vacant following the disqualification of Danam Nagender.

The notification states that Nagender stood disqualified as an MLA with effect from April 23, 2024. The Telangana High Court had issued the disqualification order on September 18, 2026, and the Supreme Court later upheld the decision on September 24. The Assembly subsequently issued the gazette notification on September 26.

Why Was Danam Nagender Disqualified?

Nagender was elected from Khairatabad as a Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) candidate in the December 2023 Assembly elections.

He later contested the 2024 Secunderabad Lok Sabha election as a Congress candidate while continuing as an MLA. This led to petitions seeking his disqualification under the anti-defection provisions of the Constitution.

The Telangana High Court set aside the Assembly Speaker’s decision rejecting the disqualification petitions. The court held that Nagender’s Assembly membership stood cancelled from April 23, 2024, the date on which he filed his nomination as a Congress candidate for the Lok Sabha election.

Nagender challenged the High Court ruling in the Supreme Court. On September 24, the Supreme Court dismissed his challenge and upheld the High Court’s decision.

Khairatabad Seat Now Vacant

With the Assembly’s gazette notification, the Khairatabad constituency has formally been recorded as vacant from April 23, 2024.

The development clears an important legal hurdle for a possible Khairatabad Assembly by-election. The Election Commission of India will have to announce the election schedule and other poll-related details.

Electoral Roll Changes Could Be Significant

The proposed by-election could also take place against the backdrop of changes to the electoral rolls under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

According to the figures cited in the draft-roll exercise:

  • 2023 electorate: 2,93,667
  • Draft-roll electorate: 1,70,195
  • Names listed for exclusion: 1,23,472
  • A large number of electors were categorised under Absent, Shifted, Death and Duplicate (ASDD) categories.
  • Claims and objections are expected to determine the final composition of the electorate.

The final electoral roll will be important because it will establish the number of eligible voters who can participate in the by-election.

What Happened in the 2023 Assembly Election?

The 2023 Khairatabad Assembly election produced the following result:

CandidatePartyVotes
Danam NagenderBRS67,368
P. Vijaya ReddyCongress45,358
Chintala Ramachandra ReddyBJP38,094

The constituency recorded a voter turnout of about 52.34%, with 1,53,730 votes polled.

These figures provide the previous electoral baseline, although any comparison with the upcoming by-election will need to account for changes in the electoral roll and the political circumstances since 2023.

What the By-Election Could Mean

The Khairatabad contest is expected to attract attention from the major political parties in Telangana.

Congress will face the challenge of defending its position after Nagender’s move from the BRS to the party and his subsequent disqualification.

BRS will seek to contest the seat after its former MLA was disqualified, making the constituency an important test of its organisational strength.

BJP, which finished third in the 2023 Assembly election, will also be looking to build on its previous performance.

The eventual contest will depend on candidate selection, campaign strategies, voter participation and the final electoral roll.

What Happens Next?

The immediate focus will now shift to the Election Commission of India and the final electoral roll.

The ECI will determine the schedule for the Khairatabad by-election. Political parties are also expected to begin preparations, including candidate selection and constituency-level campaigning.

With the legal proceedings now settled and the Assembly formally recording the seat as vacant, Khairatabad is set for another closely watched electoral contest in Telangana.

Khairatabad Ganesh Draws Huge Crowds Despite Heavy Rains in Hyderabad

The spirit of devotion in the City of Pearls remains entirely unshaken by the weather. Despite torrential downpours and heavy rains on Monday, the iconic Khairatabad Ganesh pandal witnessed an unprecedented and massive surge of devotees eager to seek the blessings of the towering 69-foot-tall Panchamukha Sankatahara Maha Ganapathi.

As Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations kicked off across the city, the Khairatabad Maha Ganapathi Utsav Committee once again proved why this pandal is the beating heart of Hyderabad’s festive spirit.

A Towering Eco-Friendly Marvel

This year’s idol, depicting the five-faced (Panchamukha) Lord Ganesha as the remover of obstacles (Sankatahara), stands at a breathtaking 69 feet. In a powerful nod to environmental responsibility, the colossal deity has been crafted entirely as an eco-friendly idol, ensuring that the city’s devotion does not come at the cost of its lakes and water bodies.

Queue lines stretched for blocks as thousands of devotees, armed with umbrellas and raincoats, patiently waited for a glimpse of the majestic Bada Ganesh.

Robust Crowd Management and Security

Given the massive footfall and the challenging weather conditions, local authorities were on high alert. The Ganesh Utsav Committee and the Hyderabad Police jointly organized extensive, well-managed queue lines to ensure a smooth and safe darshan experience for all.

Heavy deployment of police and railway police personnel was visible, particularly at the busy level crossing near the Khairatabad Metro station, which serves as the primary artery for devotees arriving via public transport. Barricades and dedicated walking corridors were set up to prevent bottlenecks and ensure pedestrian safety amidst the heavy rush.

A Monumental Offering by the Padmashali Sangham

One of the most visually stunning and deeply traditional highlights of the day was the offering presented by the Padmashali Sangham. For the fifth consecutive year, members of the weaver community honored the Khairatabad Bada Ganesh with a spectacular display of their craftsmanship and devotion.

The offering included:

  • A monumental 75-foot Kanduva (sacred towel)
  • A grand Jandhyam (sacred thread)
  • A lush Garika mala (durva grass garland)

This unique tradition beautifully marries the community’s rich textile heritage with their spiritual devotion, adding a vibrant splash of color to the pandal.

Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla Offers First Pooja

Adding to the prestige of the event, Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, accompanied by his spouse, visited the Khairatabad Ganesh pandal to offer the first official pooja of the festival. The Governor’s visit underscored the cultural and civic importance of the Khairatabad Ganesh, which has been a symbol of unity and faith in Hyderabad for decades.

The Unstoppable Spirit of Hyderabad

The scenes at Khairatabad on Monday were a testament to the unwavering faith of Hyderabadis. While heavy rains often bring the city’s traffic to a standstill, they did little to dampen the festive fervor. From families with young children to elderly devotees, the crowd was a diverse tapestry of the city’s population, all united by the chant of “Ganpati Bappa Morya!”

As the 11-day festival progresses, authorities expect the crowds to only swell, culminating in the grand Nimajjanam (immersion) procession. For now, the 69-foot Panchamukha Ganesha stands tall against the rains, blessing the city with peace, prosperity, and resilience..

Ganpati Bappa Morya!