Uttam Kumar Reddy confident of Congress victory in Jubilee Hills bypoll

Telangana Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy on Thursday said he was confident that the Congress candidate would win the Jubilee Hills Assembly by-election, scheduled for November 11, with a clear majority.

Accompanied by his Cabinet colleague Ponnam Prabhakar, Uttam went on a door-to-door campaign in the constituency, speaking about the government’s development works and welfare schemes.

“The Congress party will win this election with a huge margin. People across the state are happy with our work. We have fulfilled our promises by providing ration cards to everyone and ensuring the supply of good-quality rice,” Uttam told reporters.

He said the Congress stood for unity and harmony among all sections of society. “Our party believes in peace among all religions, castes, and communities. We do not follow the BJP’s divisive politics,” he added.

The by-election was necessitated by the death of sitting MLA and BRS leader Maganti Gopinath. In the contest, Congress has fielded BC leader V. Naveen Yadav, BRS has nominated Sunitha, the widow of the late MLA, and BJP has chosen Lankala Deepak Reddy. Polling will be held on November 11, and the votes will be counted on November 14.

Political observers say this by-election carries importance beyond Jubilee Hills itself. It will serve as a test of how voters view the Congress government’s performance since it came to power in Telangana last year. The result is expected to show whether the government’s welfare programs and leadership under Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy have satisfied the public, especially urban voters.

Congress’s campaign has focused on welfare delivery and personal outreach to households. Analysts believe this approach may help connect with lower- and middle-income voters who benefit from government schemes. However, urban voters in Jubilee Hills - which include middle-class, affluent, and minority groups - may also consider factors such as city infrastructure, public services, and local leadership before casting their vote.

The constituency’s mixed voter profile makes the contest competitive. Sympathy for BRS candidate Sunitha Gopinath could play a role, while Naveen Yadav’s grassroots appeal and Congress’s welfare message may influence others.

Experts say the result will act as a mini referendum on the Congress government’s first year in office. A win would strengthen its image and show public support for its welfare agenda. A poor result, on the other hand, could signal discontent among urban voters and push the party to rework its strategy.

Party equations are also being closely watched. Congress, as part of the INDIA bloc nationally, may attract anti-BJP and secular voters. The BRS, seeking to rebuild power, is aiming to prove that it remains a strong force in state politics.

The outcome of this by-election could shape future political strategies in Telangana. A Congress victory would boost its confidence and possibly draw leaders from rival parties into its fold. A strong showing by the BRS or BJP could change opposition dynamics and trigger new alliances before the next general elections.

Though it is only one seat, the Jubilee Hills by-election is being seen as a reflection of the public’s mood and a preview of how Telangana’s political landscape might shift in the coming months.