Hyderabad, October 13, 2025 – The Election Commission of India (ECI) today released the official gazette notification for the Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency bye-election in Telangana, kicking off a high-stakes political showdown in one of Hyderabad's most affluent and diverse segments. Nominations for candidates will be accepted from October 13 to 21, with scrutiny scheduled for October 22 and the last date for withdrawal on October 24. Polling is set for November 11, followed by counting on November 14. The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has been in force in Hyderabad district since October 6, enforcing strict guidelines on campaign activities and expenditure.
The bye-election was necessitated by the sudden demise of the sitting Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA, Maganti Gopinath, who passed away earlier this year, leaving the seat vacant and triggering a prestige contest for the ruling Congress and the opposition BRS. Jubilee Hills, with its mix of urban elites, IT professionals, and a significant Muslim voter base, boasts 3.98 lakh registered electors, including nearly 97,000 in the influential 30-39 age group, which analysts predict could sway the outcome. Voter trends in recent polls have shown a shift, with the constituency splitting votes between assembly and Lok Sabha preferences, adding unpredictability to the race.
Key Contenders Gear Up
The Congress has fielded V. Naveen Yadav, a former All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) corporator who defected to the ruling party ahead of the 2023 elections, positioning him as a bridge to minority voters. Party leaders, including Khairatabad DCC President Dr. C. Rohin Reddy, exude confidence, claiming the "mood of the voters is overwhelmingly in favor" of Yadav, who they say will secure a "thumping majority" on the back of welfare schemes like free bus travel and farm loan waivers. Social media predictions from supporters peg Congress's chances at 46-50%, citing rising momentum.
However, the race has heated up with AIMIM's surprise entry. Party chief Asaduddin Owaisi clarified on Sunday that no alliance with Congress has been finalized, and a public meeting by AIMIM's Hyderabad Youth Congress (HYC) leader Salman in the constituency appears to have prompted a rethink on supporting the ruling party. Salman is tipped as a potential AIMIM nominee, aiming to consolidate the Muslim vote in this Old City-adjacent segment.
The BRS, which held the seat until Gopinath's death, is mounting an aggressive comeback. Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) has framed the bypoll as a "verdict on Congress's arrogance and corruption," urging voters to reject "demolition politics" in favor of development. Today, BRS plans a massive meeting in Jubilee Hills with KTR, T. Harish Rao, and 4,000 booth-level workers to strategize the campaign. The party eyes 32-36% vote share, leveraging nostalgia for its decade-long rule.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is also in the fray, projected at 12-18% support, focusing on national narratives and anti-corruption planks, though specifics on their candidate remain pending.
Voter Fraud Allegations Rock the Campaign
The notification's release coincides with a raging controversy over alleged voter list manipulations targeting Congress. Opposition parties, led by BRS, have accused Yadav of orchestrating a massive "vote chori" (vote theft) scam, pointing to 43 votes registered under a single house number (8-3-231/B/160) at Booth No. 246 in Yusufguda. This follows earlier raids uncovering fake voter ID cards allegedly distributed by Yadav's team. BRS leaders, including Dr. Krishank, have amplified the claims on social media, dubbing it "national news" and demanding an Election Commission probe.
Congress has dismissed the allegations as "baseless propaganda" by rivals caught red-handed in their own failures, insisting that voter ID distribution is an ECI-encouraged initiative to boost participation. The irony hasn't been lost on critics, who note Rahul Gandhi's nationwide "Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra" campaign against electoral malpractices while his party's candidate faces similar charges in Telangana.
The ECI has appointed an expenditure observer to monitor spending, and guidelines on disclosing criminal antecedents have been issued to parties. As nominations begin, all eyes are on whether the fraud row escalates or fizzles out before polling day.
This bypoll, part of eight simultaneous assembly vacancies across India, is more than a local affair—it's a litmus test for Congress's grip on power in Telangana and BRS's revival hopes. With battle lines drawn, Jubilee Hills promises a nail-biter.
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