KTR sees positives in the defeat, says it has re-energised the party

BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao said the Jubilee Hills bypoll result, though a setback, has infused fresh energy into the party and reinforced its resolve to fight as the principal opposition in Telangana. Speaking at Telangana Bhavan after the party lost its sitting seat, KTR thanked workers and local leaders for campaigning tirelessly, especially for first-time candidate Maganti Sunitha. He also expressed gratitude to all voters who supported the party in a difficult contest.

KTR argued that the result should not be viewed in isolation and said the vote share showed that the BRS continues to remain the strongest political alternative in Telangana. He said every election is contested with the intention to win, but even in defeat the bypoll had “given the party new strength and renewed confidence.” He reminded that between 2014 and 2023, the then opposition Congress had lost all seven bypolls in the state but still managed to return to power later, and therefore a single defeat is neither decisive nor demoralising for BRS.

He strongly criticised the Congress for what he called widespread irregularities during the election, including fake voter IDs and bogus votes linked even to the Congress candidate’s family. He said the party repeatedly complained to the Election Commission and insisted that there must be a wider public discussion on how the polling process unfolded, as several incidents raised doubts among voters. On the BJP, he remarked that the party fell to single-digit votes and even lost its deposit, alleging that the Congress–BJP understanding in Hyderabad became evident with this outcome.

KTR said the BRS ran an issue-based campaign focused on development, welfare commitments and local needs, avoiding divisive politics. He said the party placed before voters details of ₹5,300 crore worth of development works in the constituency and also highlighted every pending promise of the Congress government through the ‘Baki Card’ campaign. According to him, BRS pressure forced the government to at least review implementation of the guarantees and address concerns of minorities and auto drivers.

He added that the party would undertake introspection on the result but stressed that BRS remains firmly committed to playing a constructive but strong opposition. KTR vowed that the fight would continue “until KCR returns as Chief Minister,” asserting that the party would stay among the people and defend their interests.

He also predicted more bypolls in Telangana, similar to what happened in West Bengal, if leaders who switched sides face disqualification. “If Congress struggled this much for one bypoll, let us see how they handle ten,” he said. KTR concluded by thanking all leaders and workers, including Harish Rao and Ravinder Rao, who worked through the Deepavali period to strengthen the campaign.