Polling starts in Telangana, peaceful, brisk, farmers protest, officer on duty dies of heart attack

HYDERABAD: Polling for 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana began on a peaceful note on Monday. Voters started arriving at the polling booths early in the morning fearing summer heat later in the day.

Former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu cast his vote in Jubilee Hills, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka at Madhira, Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy along with members in Khammam, Telangana Legislative Council Chairman Gutha Sukender Reddy at Nalgonda, Chief Electoral Officer Vikas Raj at SR Nagar, Chiranjeevi at Jubilee Hills Fim Club, Jr NTR at Obul Reddy School, Allu Arjun also at Jubilee hills, Secretary Finance Rma Krishna Rao, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy at Kacheguda, former Minister V Prashanth Reddy at Velpur, Hyderabad BJP candidate Madhavi latha at Mahindr Hills, Chilkur Balaji temple chief priest Rangarajan and his father Sr Rangarajan at Chilkur utilised their franchise during the first few hours on Monday.

In a tragic incident, Champapet Minority Gurukul school principal Narasimha died of heart attack while on duty at Red Hills. After setting up the polling booth he complained of uneasiness and sat under the fan. However, within a few minutes, he collapsed. Doctors confirmed his death.

In another incident, farmers of Kanumukkala in Bhudanpochampally carried drenched paddy bags to the polling station and protested against government apathy. They were demanding the purchase of the decolourised paddy due to unseasonal rains.