For BRS, Winning Jubilee Hills By-Election Crucial for Telangana’s Balance

Deccan News Service | Hyderabad | October 25, 2025

As the campaign for the Jubilee Hills by-election gathers momentum, the contest has turned into a decisive battle for prestige and political relevance in Telangana. For the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), winning this seat is not just about retaining a constituency — it is about preserving its identity as the true regional voice that built modern Telangana.

The by-election, scheduled for November 11, was necessitated by the untimely demise of sitting BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath, who was known for his strong local presence and people-friendly approach. His wife, Maganti Sunitha, has now stepped into the fray, symbolizing both continuity and emotional connection with the constituency’s voters.

The ruling Congress, on the other hand, has fielded Naveen Yadav, hoping to use its government machinery and alliance with the AIMIM to secure the win. However, on the ground, the BRS campaign has gained significant traction, driven by the goodwill built during its decade-long governance and the credibility of its leadership in urban development, infrastructure, and welfare.

BRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao (KTR) and senior leaders have taken charge of the campaign with a clear strategy — to highlight the Congress government’s failures, rising debts, and unfulfilled promises in just two years of rule. The party has been reaching every household, reminding citizens of how BRS transformed Hyderabad into a global city through projects like the Strategic Road Development Programme (SRDP), Hyderabad Metro expansion, and industrial growth under T-Hub and TS-iPASS initiatives.

The AIMIM’s support to Congress this time has sparked debate, but political observers point out that the alliance might not yield major electoral gains. The minority voter base in Jubilee Hills has traditionally respected BRS for its inclusive governance and strong representation of urban and minority issues.

The BRS’s candidate, Sunitha Gopinath, is drawing sympathy and support from the grassroots, particularly from women and self-help groups who have benefited from welfare programs launched under the previous BRS government. Her campaign emphasizes “progress with continuity,” promising to carry forward her late husband’s vision for local development.

While the Congress is banking on government power, the BRS is running a people-centric campaign, fueled by volunteer support and strong local leadership. The BJP’s presence remains minimal, with its candidate expected to split a small portion of the urban vote but not significantly alter the main contest.

According to internal BRS assessments, the party remains strong across major divisions like Rahmatnagar, Film Nagar, and Yousufguda, where it continues to command loyalty among long-time residents and youth. The leadership believes that the people of Jubilee Hills will stand by the party that built roads, created jobs, and elevated Hyderabad’s global profile.

For the BRS, a win here will not only boost morale but also reaffirm its central role in Telangana’s future. A victory in Jubilee Hills would send a clear message — that the party which envisioned and built Telangana still holds the trust of its people.

As campaign momentum peaks, one thing is evident: for the BRS, this by-election is not merely a political contest — it is a fight to protect Telangana’s progress, pride, and political identity.