"maganti-gopinath"

The Jubilee Hills assembly constituency in Hyderabad is set for a by-election in 2025 after the sudden death of three-time BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath. The BRS has nominated his widow, Maganti Sunitha, as its candidate, who has appealed to voters to continue her late husband’s work, emphasizing welfare initiatives like Aasara pensions and public distribution system supplies. Congress and BJP remain undecided on their candidates, with internal committees still deliberating. Congress, led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, has faced criticism for shifting focus from its welfare promises to attacking the BRS, while BJP MP Dharmapuri Arvind accused BRS leaders of shielding drug users and engaging in sympathy politics. AIMIM, meanwhile, is weighing whether to field its own candidate or support Congress to strengthen its outreach in the constituency. Protests by BRS corporators and MLAs disrupted a GHMC meeting over the Hyderabad Industrial Lands Transformation Policy (HILTP), demanding its withdrawal and land allocation for public amenities. The by-election has also seen allegations of election violations, with Sunitha claiming the process was marred by breaches of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961. Sunitha dismissed claims of seeking sympathy votes, asserting her campaign is rooted in sincerity and public service. She shared her emotional journey, highlighting her husband’s dedication and battles with illness. Meanwhile, BRS working president KT Rama Rao launched the ‘Jaitra Yatra,’ urging voters to reject Congress for failing to fulfill its promises, while criticizing both Congress and BJP for neglecting Telangana’s interests. The by-election, the fifth since Jubilee Hills’ creation in 2008, reflects political tensions as parties vie for influence. With Congress and BJP still finalizing candidates, the BRS holds an early advantage, leveraging Gopinath’s legacy and welfare-focused narratives to rally support in the constituency.