As campaign in the by-election to Jubilee Hills assembly seat reaches a feverish pitch, political analysts are busy assessing the people’s mood and also the strategies being adopted by various political parties.
While the by-election remains unpredictable due to traditionally low voter turnout in Hyderabad’s urban constituencies, analysts are pointing out that the Congress under the leadership of chief minister A Revanth Reddy has adopted a different and structured campaign style, compared to its earlier uncoordinated style.
According to an analyst, Revanth Reddy has introduced a new, sharply strategic style to Congress party campaign in the Jubilee Hills by-election.
In the past, during any by-election, former chief minister and BRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao would outsmart the Congress with quick, situational political moves that would demoralise the opposition.
But the scene has now reversed, with Revanth Reddy’s campaign reflecting calculated strategy.
“For Revanth, political observers note, victory in Jubilee Hills is not just about winning a seat — it is crucial for consolidating his position within and outside the party,” a Congress leader said.
Take for instance, Revanth’s sudden decision to give cabinet berth to cricketer-turned-politician Mohammad Azharuddin, as he knows that Muslim votes are decisive in Jubilee Hills. Though the AIMIM is not officially contesting, its informal support is seen leaning toward the Congress.
He also announced the allocation of land for a khabrastan (graveyard), signalling direct outreach to the minority community.
The constituency has a large settler population, especially from the Kamma community, who earlier supported late BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath. Banking on sympathy, BRS fielded his wife Sunitha Gopinath.
Revanth countered this by engaging Kamma associations, promising to unveil an N T Rama Rao statue at Maitrivanam, aiming to split the Kamma vote. Political observers believe this could significantly dent BRS’s core base.
To neutralize sympathy for the deceased leader, Revanth invoked the legacy of former leader P Janardhan Reddy (PJR), who enjoys lasting goodwill among the poor and middle class.
He accused KCR of betraying PJR’s family despite public assurances at the time of his death — a “triple strike,” combining emotional appeal, exposure of BRS opportunism, and breaking the sympathy wave.
Jubilee Hills houses many film industry workers. Revanth promised them ₹10 crore in welfare assistance and proposed a 20% revenue share on increased ticket prices — a direct attempt to win over cinema workers who have a strong presence in the constituency.
With Backward Classes (BC) forming a majority in the area, Congress fielded V. Naveen Yadav, a local Yadav leader and relative of former minister T Srinivas Yadav.
His local roots and BC identity give the Congress an advantage over the BRS candidate (a Kamma) and the BJP candidate (a Reddy).
Political observers note that KCR’s reduced public activity and health concerns have weakened BRS’s campaign.
With Harish Rao also constrained by his father’s death, K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) remains the lone campaign spearhead, a factor seen as a disadvantage for the party.
Revanth is also using a straightforward welfare pitch — warning voters that a BRS revival could threaten Congress welfare schemes like free electricity, ₹2/kg rice, and free bus travel for women.
To offset the sympathy for the BRS’s woman candidate, Revanth points to KCR’s neglect of women leaders and his suspension of Kavitha, while contrasting it with his own decision to induct D Anasuya (Seethakka) and Konda Surekha as ministers.
He also repeatedly remarks that “even KCR’s own daughter calls his family corrupt,” using it as a rhetorical weapon.
“Whether it translates into victory or not, they note, Revanth Reddy’s strategic transformation of Telangana Congress politics is undeniable,” analysts say.
