Hyderabad: Former MLA P. Vishnuvardhan Reddy filed his nomination papers for the Jubilee Hills Assembly by-election on Saturday, setting off speculation about the Bharat Rashtra Samithi’s (BRS) electoral tactics. Although Maganti Sunitha is the declared BRS candidate, the party included Vishnuvardhan Reddy to cover any risk of rejection during scrutiny.
According to party sources, BRS leaders approved a dual-nomination plan. Their goal was to avoid legal or technical lapses that might leave the party without a candidate. While Sunitha remains the lead contender, Vishnuvardhan Reddy’s nomination ensures a backup is in place. This strategy reflects BRS’s attempt to eliminate last-minute surprises.
Shaik Abdullah Sohail, a senior leader in the party, reportedly managed the coordination behind Vishnuvardhan Reddy’s filing. Neither BRS nor Reddy issued public remarks about the move. Still, political observers believe the filing was deliberate and planned, not reactionary. It signals the party’s intent to control every step of the nomination process.
Observers noted the timing of Vishnuvardhan Reddy’s entry, which came just before the nomination deadline. This step indicates that BRS wants to keep options open until scrutiny ends. In the event of any technical problems with Sunitha’s paperwork, Reddy would be ready to lead the campaign.
BRS weighs risks in Jubilee Hills with experienced fallback
Vishnuvardhan Reddy served as Jubilee Hills MLA from 2009 to 2014. His father, P. Janardhan Reddy, was a prominent Congress leader in Hyderabad. In 2023, Vishnuvardhan switched from Congress to BRS, a move that helped the ruling party target urban and legacy Congress voters.
Although Vishnuvardhan Reddy kept a low profile since joining BRS, his influence in Jubilee Hills remains strong. His name on the ballot, even as a reserve, gives the party a dependable second option. His background and voter familiarity could prove valuable if the party needs to pivot quickly.
Maganti Sunitha, the widow of former MLA Maganti Gopinath, had already filed her nomination earlier in the week. Gopinath’s death triggered the by-election. Sunitha declared family assets of ₹25 crore in her affidavit. BRS has presented her as a candidate of continuity and sympathy. Leaders from the party have been actively backing her campaign across the constituency.
Sunitha’s public image, however, does not negate potential procedural risks. In Telangana’s recent elections, some nominations faced disqualification due to documentation errors. To prevent such a crisis, the BRS leadership opted for a layered approach.
The Jubilee Hills contest features a strong field. The Congress nominated local businessman Naveen Yadav. The BJP named Deepak Reddy as its candidate. AIMIM chose not to contest, a decision that could consolidate minority votes in favor of the Congress, according to analysts.
For BRS, which has held Jubilee Hills for two terms, the by-poll is more than symbolic. It is a test of the party’s urban credibility after recent electoral setbacks. Leaders believe that any misstep in paperwork could cost them the seat. By fielding Vishnuvardhan Reddy as a fallback, the party has shown that it intends to avoid preventable errors.
Scrutiny of nominations will take place early next week. If Sunitha’s papers pass without objections, BRS will proceed with its campaign under her leadership. If issues arise, the party will shift focus to Vishnuvardhan Reddy, whose presence ensures uninterrupted participation in the election.