Jubilee Hills bypoll results: What a win or loss will mean for Congress and BRS?

Congress candidate V Naveen Yadav, BRS candidate Maganti Sunitha, BJP’s Lankala Deepak Reddy (L-R)

Counting of votes for one of Telangana’s most closely watched bypolls, the Jubilee Hills Assembly seat is underway. Over 4 lakh voters were eligible to vote in the by-election held on November 11, which saw a turnout of around 47%.

Jubilee Hills is known as one of Hyderabad’s most upscale and high-profile Assembly constituencies. It includes prominent neighbourhoods such as Banjara Hills, Film Nagar, and Madhapur, areas home to tech hubs, film studios, prominent businesspersons, and celebrities. The constituency falls under the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat.

Who are the key candidates?

The by-election has shaped into a three-way fight between Congress candidate V Naveen Yadav, BRS candidate Maganti Sunitha and BJP’s Lankala Deepak Reddy. Election authorities have arranged 42 counting tables and expect the complete results to be declared by the end of 10 rounds of counting today.

Why is a bypoll being held?

The seat was vacant after the death of sitting BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath in June. Gopinath, a well-known figure in the constituency, had won the Jubilee Hills seat in the 2023 Assembly elections by defeating former Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin with a margin of 16,337 votes.

His passing led to a by-election. The turnout in the voting on November 11 remained low at 48.47 per cent.

What a Congress victory would mean

If the Congress manages to win the Jubilee Hills bypoll, it would indicate growing support for the party among urban and upscale voters. Jubilee Hills has not traditionally been a Congress stronghold, so a win here would suggest that the party is expanding its influence beyond rural regions.

Such a result would strengthen Congress ahead of civic and local body elections and signal renewed voter confidence in the ruling party of Telangana.

What a BRS comeback would show

If the BRS retains the seat, it would signal that the party still holds influence in important pockets of Hyderabad despite facing setbacks in recent elections.

A win would uplift the morale of party workers and help the BRS prepare for larger political battles after the loss in the 2023 assembly elections.

Exit poll trends

Exit polls have largely predicted an advantage for the Congress. According to Chanakyya Strategies, Congress is expected to gain around 46 per cent of the vote share, followed by BRS with 41 per cent, while the BJP may secure around 6 per cent. If these projections come true, Congress candidate V Naveen Yadav could be headed for a victory in this high-stakes constituency.

What if BJP wins

A victory for the BJP would be seen as a huge breakthrough. The party has been trying to strengthen its presence in Hyderabad, and winning an elite constituency like Jubilee Hills would show that it is gaining traction among affluent urban voters.

It would also boost the BJP’s confidence and organisational strength ahead of key future elections, including the GHMC polls and the 2028 state elections.