The sudden demise of Bharat Rashtra Samithi MLA from Jubilee Hills assembly seat in Hyderabad has necessitated the conduct of a by-election and major political parties have already started gearing up for the battle.
Since the BRS had represented the seat twice, the focus now is on whether it will be able to retain the seat.
For the BRS, the poll has become a matter of prestige, as it is fighting a tough battle against the Congress led by chief minister A Revanth Reddy, who is keen on wresting the seat in the by-poll.
The Congress, which failed to win a single division in Greater Hyderabad in the 2023 municipal polls but captured the Cantonment Assembly seat in a recent by-poll, is equally hopeful of victory in Jubilee Hills.
Social equations here make the role of the All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) decisive; clarity is still awaited on whether AIMIM will contest.
From Congress, former cricketer M Azharuddin has already declared his intention to run, but Revanth Reddy reiterated that the party will choose the nominee.
The BRS has begun internal exercises. Party leaders favour giving the ticket to the family of the late MLA, who won twice from the constituency.
According to sources, a major party has ordered a survey to gauge public sentiment.
The BRS is considering fielding Gopinath’s wife, Sunitha; however, party insiders say the family has not yet decided. If Sunitha declines, the party is weighing Vishnu Vardhan Reddy as an alternative.
Survey feedback reportedly suggests that backing a member of the Maganti family would work to the BRS’s advantage.
Even with possible AIMIM support for Congress, the survey indicates the ruling party still has a stronger chance of winning.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is holding discussions with its allies, while one of the main parties has already commissioned a survey whose findings are said to be interesting.
Within the BJP, an industrialist’s name is being discussed for the ticket. Leaders are exploring a joint candidate backed by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Jana Sena. All three parties are said to be commissioning their own surveys.
The by-poll is tentatively expected in October. Survey reports so far suggest no single party enjoys an overwhelming lead; final outcomes could shift once AIMIM’s stance and the major parties’ candidate selections are clear.
