Hyderabad : Beneath the veneer of Jubilee Hills’ glitzy urban landscape, a severe civic crisis has taken centre stage ahead of the November 11 by-election. The rampant mosquito menace, coupled with overflowing drains, uncollected garbage, and rising dengue cases, has transformed the bypoll into a referendum on urban neglect. Frustrated residents are determined to make this election about accountability rather than party allegiance.

Bypoll Turns into Civic Accountability Test

The by-election, necessitated by the death of sitting BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath, has become a flashpoint between the ruling Congress and the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). Residents, organized under strong collectives such as the Jubilee Hills Forum, are demanding concrete action plans from candidates. Their message is clear — no more token promises.

A Tale of Two Realities : The mosquito problem is most acute in the constituency’s low-income areas such as Borabanda, Yousufguda, and Shaikpet, where open nalas and poor sanitation have turned neighbourhoods into breeding grounds. However, even posh gated communities are not spared.

“We’ve been forced to live with mosquitoes, flies, and the stench from garbage dumps,” said a local resident. This frustration reflects a larger sentiment across Jubilee Hills — a widening gap between affluent and neglected zones, both suffering from civic apathy.

Voters Turn Up the Pressure : Community bodies and resident associations are taking the initiative to enforce accountability. The Jubilee Hills Forum, representing over 150 colony associations, has demanded written commitments from political parties on sanitation, drainage, and health infrastructure.

Some residents have warned they may opt for the ‘NOTA’ (None of the Above) option if promises remain vague. “The one who gives written assurances will get our vote,” said a local resident , signaling a decisive shift toward performance-based voting.

Parties Scramble to Respond :

BRS: The opposition BRS has capitalized on civic anger, attacking the ruling Congress for “failing to clean its own backyard.” K.T. Rama Rao, BRS Working President, accused the Congress of neglecting urban governance and called on voters to “teach Congress a lesson.” The party also alleged voter fraud in the constituency, framing the bypoll as a fight for integrity.

Congress: Facing backlash over poor sanitation, the ruling Congress has attempted damage control. The GHMC recently resumed anti-larval drives and cleanup operations in response to public criticism. However, observers see this as a last-minute reaction rather than proactive governance.

BJP: The BJP, viewing Jubilee Hills as a test of its urban voter outreach, has intensified its campaign. Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy is spearheading efforts to position BJP as a viable urban alternative, though the party’s local ground strength remains limited compared to BRS and Congress.

Fight for a Better Life :  As polling day approaches, the Jubilee Hills bypoll is fast becoming more than a political contest — it’s a fight for a livable city. For residents, the stakes are clear: cleaner streets, safer drains, and relief from mosquito-borne diseases.

The outcome on November 11 will not only decide who represents Jubilee Hills but could also signal a shift in Telangana’s urban politics — from personality-driven contests to issue-based accountability.