Telangana voters braved cold conditions and voted in huge numbers on Friday. As per the data released by the Election Commission of India, 67% of eligible voters cast their votes in Telangana where counting of votes would be taken up on Tuesday (11th December).

The polling has reduced by 4% as compared to last time when the polling percentage was close to 70% (69.5%, to be precise). Youths including many first-time voters were seen curiously awaiting their turn at almost all the 119 constituencies in the State. Badminton champion P.V. Sindhu was among the many sports and film celebrities who voted enthusiastically and flaunted the ‘indelible ink’ to the flashing lensmen.

Retired left-handed badminton champion Jwala Gutta was fuming as she alleged that her name was missing from the voters’ list. Polling ended customarily at 05:00 p.m. yesterday except in 13 selected constituencies (where left-wing extremism was feared) where the polling ended an hour ahead at 04:00 p.m. The polling was, by and large, a peaceful affair. No major incidents of violence were reported from any part of the State.

As already reported, Congress-Telegu Desam Party alliance is fighting hard to topple the ruling K. Chandrasekara Rao-led Telangana Rashtriya Samiti (TRS) Govt. BJP is going it alone by contesting from all the constituencies. Tuesday would be the D-Day for all the parties to know where they stand post yesterday’s polling!