Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, BJP chief in Telangana G Kishan Reddy, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, popular Telugu actors Chiranjeevi, Allu Arjun and Junior NTR were among the prominent persons who exercised their franchise in the Lok Sabha elections in Telangana on Monday.

Venkaiah Naidu, along with his wife, voted at a polling station in Jubilee Hills here. He appealed to citizens to cast their votes.

Kishan Reddy, who cast his vote at Kachiguda here, appealed to the electorate to turn up in large numbers to exercise their franchise.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says that the election is a festival of democracy and all voters should take part in it, Kishan Reddy said.

The polling day should not be treated as a holiday, Kishan Reddy said.

Asked by a reporter for his response on the comment that ‘there is no alternative to Modi’, Owaisi said the country is bigger than politicians.

Owaisi is seeking re-election from the party’s bastion- Hyderabad- and is pitted against BJP’s K Madhavi Latha, a political novice, who ran a spirited campaign.

Allu Arjun (of ‘Pushpa’ fame) also urged the electors to exercise their franchise. Junior NTR, a grandson of the legendary N T Rama Rao, also cast his vote.

As many as 625 candidates, including Union Minister and Telangana BJP chief Kishan Reddy, the party national general secretary Bandi Sanjay Kumar and senior leader Etala Rajender are among the BJP’s candidates while the Congress has fielded among others, BRS turncoats Danam Nagender and K Kavya.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Amaravati:

The police at Nandyal in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday charged Tollywood actor Allu Arjun for visiting the house of his friend and YSRCP MLA Silpa Ravi, which led to the gathering of thousands of people on the road.

Silpa Ravi is seeking renomination from Nandyal, as the state goes to the polls on May 13 along with the 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh.

Since the ‘Pushpa’ fame actor visited the MLA’s house without prior permission from the constituency’s Returning Officer, a case was booked against him and the YSRCP candidate on Saturday evening.

Allu Arjun visited the MLA’s house to show his support on the last day of campaigning. On learning about his visit, a large number of his fans gathered outside the house to catch a glimpse of their favourite star.

The actor appeared on the balcony with his wife Sneha Reddy, Silpa Ravi, and the MLA’s family members, and waved at the huge crowd, which was chanting ‘Pushpa, Pushpa’.

Silpa Ravi, whose real name is Singareddy Ravichandra Kishore Reddy, is seeking re-election as a ruling party nominee in the May 13 elections.

The case has been registered under Section 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant) of the Indian Penal Code at the local Two Town police station.

Since Section 144 of the Election Code and Section 31 of the AP Police Act were in force, the case was registered against the actor and the MLA.

Meanwhile, in a social media post, Allu Arjun thanked the people of Nandyal for the warm reception.

He also thanked Silpa Ravi for the hospitality.

“Wishing you the very best in the elections and beyond. You have my unwavering love and support,” he posted on X.

Silpa Ravi too posted a video of Allu Arjun waving at the crowd on X, thanking the actor for travelling all the way to Nandyal to wish him for the elections.

“Your unwavering support means everything to me, and I’m so grateful for our friendship,” the MLA posted.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)