Jubilee Hills exit polls predict Congress win, BRS trails in close contest

The bypoll is necessitated following the death of BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath in June this year.

One of the most closely watched electoral battles in Telangana has reached its final stage with polling for the Jubilee Hills Assembly by-election concluding on Tuesday evening. The bypoll, seen as a test of the Telangana Congress government’s popularity, witnessed 47.16% voter turnout till 5 PM, with those still in queues after 6 PM allowed to vote. The contest is triangular among the ruling Congress, BJP and BRS.

According to exit polls conducted by multiple media and survey agencies, the Congress appears poised for a clear win in the constituency, which was earlier held by the BRS.

Since the constituency falls within the Greater Hyderabad limits, the outcome here is expected to influence the upcoming GHMC elections. This has generated keen interest in state political circles over the exit poll projections.

According to the Chanakya Mukesh Survey, which had earlier predicted a BRS win last week, the trend has now reversed, it is now projecting a victory for the Congress in the Jubilee Hills bypoll. As per the Smart Poll survey, Congress is expected to secure 48.2% of the votes, while BRS may get 42.1%, and BJP around 7.6%. The survey indicates that, except in the Shaikpet division, BRS has lost ground in most other areas, with Congress taking the lead.

As per People’s Pulse, Congress is projected to get 48%, BRS 41%, and BJP 6% of the vote share. The Chanakya Strategies survey also shows a similar pattern, giving 46% to Congress, 43% to BRS, and 6% to BJP. The findings suggest that, except in Borabanda and Shaikpet, Congress has gained strength across divisions, with voters leaning towards the party.

Overall, according to these exit polls, Congress appears set to comfortably win the Jubilee Hills seat. However, despite the favourable projections, the Congress leadership has not yet made any official statement. It remains to be seen if any party leaders respond to the exit poll results.

Across agencies, the numbers indicate a consistent edge for Congress candidate Naveen Yadav, who seems set to wrest the seat from the BRS. The final results, however, will be declared on November 14, when counting takes place.