The upcoming Jubilee Hills Assembly by election has become one of Telangana’s most watched political battles, as the ruling Congress and opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) prepare for a fierce face off. The bypoll was necessitated following the death of BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath, whose wife Maganti Sunitha is now expected to contest the seat for BRS.
Congress Bets on Naveen Yadav Amid Controversy
The Congress party has officially named V. Naveen Yadav as its candidate, despite internal debate and controversy surrounding allegations of fake voter ID (EPIC) distribution. A case has been registered against him by the Hyderabad police, but party insiders say Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy stood firm on his decision, citing Yadav’s grassroots influence and his work in local welfare programs.
Congress strategists believe the combination of backward class and minority support, along with an active urban outreach campaign, could give the party a fighting chance in what has long been a BRS stronghold.
BRS Fields Maganti Sunitha to Retain Legacy
BRS, led by former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, is counting on sympathy votes and legacy support for Maganti Sunitha, who has already started visiting local bastis and women’s groups in Jubilee Hills. The party is highlighting her late husband’s developmental work particularly infrastructure upgrades and welfare initiatives as proof of continued commitment to the constituency.
Surveys indicate BRS currently holds a slight 10-point lead, though analysts say the urban electorate’s volatility and Congress’s organizational push could narrow that gap as polling day nears.
New Polling Rules & Digital Oversight
The Election Commission of India has introduced several innovations for the Jubilee Hills bypoll:
- All AI-generated and digitally edited campaign content must be clearly tagged.
- EVM carrying vehicles will be GPS tracked throughout the process.
- Polling stations will be capped at 1,200 voters each to ensure smooth operations.
Officials have also warned candidates against misinformation and digital manipulation a first of its kind directive in a state level election.
Development Push Before Code of Conduct
In the weeks leading up to the Model Code of Conduct, both the Congress government and local leaders accelerated development works across Jubilee Hills. New roads, community halls, drainage projects, and beautification drives have been fast-tracked, signaling the constituency’s growing political importance.
One key decision the allotment of land for a Muslim graveyard in Shaikpet is being cited by Congress as fulfillment of a major poll promise, potentially helping the party consolidate minority votes.
What’s at Stake
For Congress, a win in Jubilee Hills would strengthen its urban presence and reinforce Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s leadership within the state unit.
For BRS, retaining the seat is critical to showing that the party remains relevant in Hyderabad’s political landscape even after losing power in the 2023 assembly polls.
Political observers note that AIMIM’s local stance whether neutral or indirectly supportive of Congress could play a decisive role given the constituency’s sizable minority voter base.
Outlook
With campaign momentum building, the Jubilee Hills bypoll is shaping up as a prestige contest that will test the strength of both major parties ahead of the Greater Hyderabad civic polls next year.
The by election is scheduled for November 11, 2025, with counting on November 14. Early surveys predict a tight race, but the final outcome will likely hinge on turnout in urban clusters such as Yousufguda, Film Nagar, and Shaikpet.
