The Jubilee Hills bypoll in Telangana has turned into a high-stakes prestige battle among three major parties, even though the result will not alter the state government. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of Congress, K T Rama Rao of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy of the BJP have intensely campaigned in the constituency, which features a mix of affluent areas and slums in the heart of Hyderabad. Voting took place on Tuesday, with results expected three days later. For Congress, this election tests public confidence in Revanth Reddy's administration. The BRS views it as a survival fight, while the BJP aims to strengthen its presence in the state. The constituency has around 1.4 lakh Muslim voters, prompting both Congress and BRS to focus their outreach efforts. High-profile voters, including Telugu film stars, reside in Jubilee Hills, adding further attention to the bypoll.
Campaign Focus on Muslim Voters Sparks Controversy
Congress and BRS have actively courted the 1.4 lakh Muslim voters in Jubilee Hills, leading to heated exchanges. The Congress government faced criticism after appointing former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin as Minority Welfare Minister, a move the BRS termed appeasement. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's statement that "Congress means Muslims, and Muslims mean Congress" drew sharp reactions from rivals and party members alike. State BJP chief accused Congress of communalising the campaign. Senior Congress leader Shabbir Ali urged Muslims at a mosque to recognise their voting power, noting they form nearly 13% of Telangana's population. The AIMIM opted out and supported Congress candidate Naveen Yadav.
Andhra-Origin Voters and Community Dynamics at Play
Non-Muslim voters, mostly from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, reportedly prefer the BRS to demonstrate their integration into Telangana society. A BRS leader claimed former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao protected Andhra-origin people and their businesses during his tenure from 2014 to 2023. The BRS fielded Maganti Sunitha, wife of the late MLA whose death necessitated the bypoll. The Kamma community numbers around 40,000 in Jubilee Hills, while 25,000 Yadavs and 10,000 Kapus also reside there. The BJP nominated Lankala Deepak Reddy, who previously lost this seat in the 2023 Assembly polls. Residents seek basic amenities like drinking water, housing, and roads, though the bypoll has become primarily a prestige contest.
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