Hyderabad: According to the latest ABP C-voter pre-poll survey, the Indian National Congress party (INC) appears to hold a slight advantage in the upcoming assembly elections in Telangana. While the INC leads with a projected 48-60 seats, it faces formidable competition from the Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi (BRS), led by K Chandrashekar Rao, which is predicted to secure 43-55 seats. Meanwhile, the survey places the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at 5-11 seats.
Despite the prominent presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah in the BJP’s campaign in Telangana, the party may not experience significant gains in terms of vote share or seats, as indicated by the opinion poll. It’s worth noting that a recent survey by Lok Poll also positioned the INC at the top spot, with a moderate lead over its closest competitor, BRS.
The INC is expected to garner nearly 39% of the vote share, reflecting a notable 10.5% increase. This surge can be attributed, in part, to the INC’s focused efforts in targeting the OBC (Other Backward Classes) and Micro OBC segments, which have become a central theme of their campaign. The party’s projected jump from 28.3% to 38.8% in vote share marks one of the most significant improvements among the parties vying for seats in Telangana. In contrast, the BRS is predicted to experience a decline of 9.4% in vote share, falling from its previous 46.9% to 37.5%.
While the BJP may not see a dramatic shift in its fortunes, it is projected to secure 16% of the votes, marking a 9.3% increase from the previous elections—a consolation for the party. (eom)