Hyderabad: Despite an increase in the number of political parties, the total number of candidates in the fray for the 17 LS seats in Telangana has risen only marginally from 264 in 2009 to 267 this time.
After the PRP merged with the Congress, new parties like the YSR Congress and AAP have entered the political scene. Parties like the TRS and BJP are also contesting from more constituencies than they did last time. Nevertheless, the number of candidates in the fray has only marginally increased.
Incidentally, the number of nominations filed for the Telangana LS seats is the same as in 2009. Also, interestingly, Lok Sabha seats like Malkajgiri and Secunderabad are witnessing much more competition this time.
As many as 30 candidates are in the fray from Malkajgiri this time while in 2009 there were just 19. Secunderabad also has 30 candidates this time against 23 in the last general elections.
However, the number of candidates contesting from Hyderabad has declined from 23 in 2009 to just 16. Despite this, 91 candidates are in the fray for the four Lok Sabha seats in the city.
