Hyderabad: The political temperature in Telangana has soared with the by-election looming for the Jubilee Hills assembly seat, following the sudden demise of sitting BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath. The contest is shaping up as a key test of strength for all major parties, each vying to claim the influential Hyderabad constituency.
Though the official election schedule is yet to be announced, the political ground is already buzzing. Aspirants from multiple parties are scrambling for nominations, intensifying their efforts through back-channel lobbying and alliances. Historically, the BRS has leaned towards nominating family members of deceased incumbents; speculation is rife that Maganti Sunitha, Gopinath’s wife, may be the party’s choice. However, names like former MLA P. Vishnuvardhan Reddy and Ravula Sridhar Reddy are also in the mix for the pink party ticket.
On the Congress side, former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin who contested unsuccessfully in the last election has re-emerged as a potential candidate. PJR’s daughter P. Vijaya Reddy and Naveen Yadav are also seen as strong contenders. The BJP is considering familiar faces like Lankala Deepak Reddy from the last election, alongside hopefuls Jutur Keerthy Reddy, Dr Padma Veerapaneni, and Bandaru Vijaya Lakshmi.
The MIM’s strategy remains a key wildcard. Though Rashid Farajuddin was unsuccessful in the last contest, party insiders suggest that if the MIM sits out this time, it could significantly bolster Congress’s chances in a constituency where Muslim minority votes are critical.
Political strategists agree that this by-election is more than just a local battle; it’s a high-stakes rehearsal for the broader fight in Telangana. The Congress government, under Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, is keen to consolidate its promises and build momentum through welfare schemes. Meanwhile, the BRS and BJP are using every opportunity to project public discontent, hoping to score an upset.
For the BRS, losing its stronghold in Jubilee Hills would be a significant setback, undermining its narrative of invincibility. The party’s leadership, still smarting from the Secunderabad Cantonment by-election defeat, is determined not to repeat the same mistakes.
The BJP, on the other hand, is looking to translate its growing support into concrete electoral gains, eager to showcase its relevance in Telangana’s dynamic political landscape. Party leaders believe a strong showing here would validate their claim that Revanth Reddy’s government is losing public trust.
As the battle lines are drawn, all eyes are on the strategies of both KCR’s BRS and the Congress’s Revanth Reddy. Will KCR adapt a new playbook after the Cantonment seat experience? Can the Congress government capitalise on its incumbency? Or will the BJP spring a surprise? Jubilee Hills is poised to be the arena where these questions find their answers in the coming months.
