For K Bhojraj, independent candidate for Malkajgiri Lok Sabha constituency, Telangana is already a state.

The newly carved-out state, which is expected to be formally formed on June 2, will go to polls on April 30. The Election Commission has already stated that both the assembly and parliamentary polls will be held in a unified Andhra Pradesh simultaneously.

Bhojraj has mentioned Telangana as his state in his nomination papers.

The returning officer has accepted the nomination papers of Bhojraj as an independent candidate. However, the scrutiny of the all the nomination papers will be carried out on April 10.

However, the rest of the contestants are unlikely to mention Telangana as their state since there is an Election Commission of India directive that the polls will be held under a united state. Legally, it is not correct to mention Telangana as a state before it’s formally formed on June 2.

“Telangana as a state can be mentioned in future elections, but for the current poll it remains Andhra Pradesh”, an expert pointed out.

Image: Pro-Telangana activists demonstrate in Hyderabad

Photograph: Reuters