Hyderabad: Labour, Employment and Mines Minister Gaddam Vivek Venkataswamy cast his vote at Booth No. 227 in Hitech City, Mancherial district, on Wednesday.
After casting his vote, he said voting remains a fundamental responsibility in a democracy. He therefore urged citizens to participate actively in the electoral process.
Speaking to the media, the Minister said officials are conducting elections in a transparent and free atmosphere. According to him, the Congress government has ensured peaceful polling across the state.
He further said people support the welfare schemes introduced by the government. Although the previous administration left the state burdened with debts, the current government streamlined finances and continues welfare programmes.
He also clarified that police are not exerting pressure anywhere in the electoral process. In contrast, he alleged that the earlier Bharat Rashtra Samithi government misused police machinery during elections.
Gaddam Vivek Venkataswamy casts vote, alleges past irregularities
Recalling the past, the Minister said authorities intimidated voters and denied them voting rights in the name of unanimous elections.
However, he asserted that officials now conduct elections democratically and without coercion. Moreover, he expressed confidence that the Congress party enjoys strong public support across Telangana.
He predicted that the Congress would win more than 85 per cent of the seats in these elections. Finally, he appealed to all citizens to exercise their right to vote and strengthen democracy.