With the Jubilee Hills by-election fast approaching, the BRS has shifted into top gear, projecting itself as the frontrunner, while national parties still struggle to finalise their candidates. The BRS had already intensified its poll campaign and launched its Congress Debt Card campaign in the constituency to counter the Congress Guarantee Card distributed during the Assembly elections.
Following the demise of MLA Maganti Gopinath on June 8, BRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao swiftly named his widow, Maganti Sunita Gopinath, as the party candidate. Party working president KT Rama Rao took direct charge, touring divisions, holding door-to-door campaigns, and galvanising cadre support at booth and division levels.
The party flexed its organisational muscle. Each MLA and MLC has been assigned division-wise responsibilities, with corporators tasked to oversee booth-level operations. The BRS is not merely contesting but tightening its grip on Jubilee Hills to safeguard its bastion.
BRS leaders said Sunita Gopinath’s candidature was a
tribute to her late husband, who built a strong base in the constituency. The party has also stepped up inductions, with TDP senior leader Pradeep Chowdhury joining BRS recently. Political observers expect more crossovers from rival parties, indicating the BRS’s strong presence at the ground level.
Meanwhile, the Congress and the BJP remain caught in candidate selection battles. The Congress is weighing names like Naveen Yadav, Bonthu Rammohan, and CN Reddy, while BJP’s aspirants include NV Subhash, Madhavilatha, and Chintala Ramachandra Reddy. Both parties are holding preparatory meetings, but insiders admit the ground momentum is currently with BRS.
As the Election Commission released the final voters list on Monday, the poll schedule is expected by mid-October.
The Jubilee Hills bypoll has become a prestigious battle for all parties. For BRS, ensuring Sunita Gopinath’s victory with a commanding margin is not just about retaining a seat but about reaffirming its dominance in Hyderabad’s political heartland.