Telangana elections are approaching fast and as per reports, ‘settlers’ will be a deciding factor in around 25 constituencies in Telangana. Political analysts and observers are keenly watching which way these settlers will swing this time.

Contrary to popular opinion, ‘settlers’ in Telangana state are not just from Andhra Pradesh, there are settlers from other states who have vote rights in Telangana state. All of them together number about one crore voters, as per reports. Given this fact, both TRS and Congress are trying hard to woo these voters. While Congress has assured some seats to AP-origin candidates, TRS assured steps for the development of settlers and especially KTR is holding series of meetings in Hyderabad.

As per the reports, undivided districts of Ranga Reddy, Medak, Warangal, Nizamabad and Nalgonda have more than 50% of settler population. Kukatpally, Lingampally, LB Nagar, Musheerabad, Patancheru, Quthbullapur, Malkajgiri, Medchal and Uppal have almost 60% of settler voters. Serilingampally, Sanath Nagar and Pathancheru areas too have high percentage of settler population.

All in all, settlers will impact voting patterns and decide fate of candidates in around 25 seats. We will have to wait and see whom these settlers favor this time.