The stage is set for the by-election to the Jubilee Hills assembly seat with the Election Commission of India announcing the poll schedule, fixing November 11 as the polling date.
All eyes in Telangana are now on Jubilee Hills, as the outcome here is expected to carry high political significance.
The crucial battle for the seat — considered prestigious by both the ruling and opposition parties — will be decided on November 14.
The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), determined to retain its sitting seat, has already announced its candidate — Maganti Sunitha, wife of the late MLA Maganti Gopinath.
The Congress and the BJP, however, are treading cautiously, weighing their options to put up a strong fight against the BRS.
Within the Congress, there is reportedly intense competition for the party ticket, though sources suggest the party leadership has almost reached a final decision.
Unless last-minute lobbying changes the situation, the chosen name may be announced soon.
According to political sources, several aspirants within the Congress are making aggressive efforts to secure the Jubilee Hills ticket.
In a bid to attract the attention of senior leaders, some have already launched local outreach programmes and publicity drives even before the official announcement.
Former MP Anjan Kumar Yadav recently held a free spectacles distribution camp. Naveen Yadav distributed stationery kits to students.
Kanjarla Vijayalakshmi, daughter-in-law of a former minister, is also in the race for the ticket.
Within the Congress, the leadership is reportedly considering candidates belonging to either the Yadav or the Munnuru Kapu community for the Jubilee Hills seat, to strike a balance in community representation. Heavy lobbying is said to be underway on both sides.
If the ticket goes to a Yadav candidate, Naveen Yadav appears to be the frontrunner. He is believed to have support from party seniors and people across communities.
Meanwhile, former Hyderabad Mayor Bonthu Rammohan, who recently joined the Congress after leaving the BRS, is also lobbying hard for the seat.
However, party cadres reportedly view him as an outsider, which may work to his disadvantage.
Given these internal dynamics, political observers believe Naveen Yadav is most likely to bag the Congress ticket for the Jubilee Hills by-election.
