HYDERABAD: The electoral battle for the prestigious Jubilee Hills Assembly Constituency officially began on Monday, October 13, with the filing of nominations for the upcoming by-election. On Day 1, a total of 11 nomination papers were filed at the Returning Officer’s office in Shaikpet, signalling the commencement of the race for the key urban seat.
The by-poll, necessitated by the unfortunate demise of sitting BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath in June, is scheduled to be held on November 11.
Key Details from Day 1 of Nomination Filing
While the official candidates from the major political parties—Congress, BRS, and BJP—are expected to file their papers in the coming days, the initial submissions largely consisted of cover candidates and independent aspirants.
- Total Nominations Filed: 11
- Location: Office of the Returning Officer, Shaikpet Tahsildar Office
- Main Contenders’ Preparations:
- Congress: The ruling party has already announced V Naveen Yadav as its candidate. A strong Backward Classes (BC) leader, his candidature is a strategic move to consolidate the substantial BC and Muslim voter base in the constituency.
- BRS: The opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi has fielded Maganti Sunitha, the widow of the late MLA Maganti Gopinath, aiming to capitalize on the sympathy wave.
- BJP: The Bharatiya Janata Party is yet to officially declare its candidate, though names like Lankala Deepak Reddy and J. Keerthi Reddy are reportedly on the shortlist for final approval from the central leadership.
Bypoll Schedule at a Glance
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has outlined a tight schedule for the by-election process:
Note: Nominations will not be accepted on public holidays, including Sunday, October 19, and Monday, October 20 (Deepavali).
The Political Context
The Jubilee Hills bypoll is viewed as a significant test for the ruling Congress government in Telangana. The constituency, with an electorate of approximately 3.99 lakh voters, is a crucial urban segment.
- Previous Results: In the 2023 Assembly Elections, BRS candidate Maganti Gopinath won the seat, defeating Congress candidate and former Indian Cricket Captain Mohammad Azharuddin.
- Political Intrigue: The bypoll is characterized by intense internal strategy, with the BRS accusing the Congress of attempting to register “thousands of fake voters.” Meanwhile, the Congress is keenly watched for potential tacit support from the AIMIM, which has historically held influence in the area, a move which could sway the large Muslim vote bank.
The coming week, leading up to the last date for nominations, is expected to see a flurry of activity as the official candidates from the major parties file their papers, setting the stage for a high-voltage electoral contest.
