Congress Fields Naveen Yadav for Jubilee Hills Bypoll, Sidelines Azharuddin Amid BRS Turmoil

Ending weeks of speculation, the ruling Congress party on Wednesday, October 7, announced Naveen Yadav as its official candidate for the upcoming Jubilee Hills by-election.

The announcement followed a series of internal discussions and lobbying within the state unit, with former MP Ranjith Reddy also being among the top contenders for the ticket.

The by-election, scheduled for November 11, was necessitated after the passing of BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath. The Congress, which failed to secure a single seat in the Greater Hyderabad region during the 2023 Assembly elections, sees this bypoll as a crucial opportunity to strengthen its presence in the capital.

Meanwhile, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has fielded Maganti Sunitha, the wife of the late MLA, as its candidate. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, has yet to declare its nominee for the bypoll.

Internal Turmoil in BRS Ahead of the Bypoll

The BRS, though holding a strong base in Jubilee Hills, has been hit by internal rifts following the suspension of K Kavitha, former MLC and daughter of party chief K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR).

Kavitha was expelled on September 2 after her public criticism of senior leaders Harish Rao and Santosh Rao. A day later, she announced her resignation from both the BRS and her MLC post, marking a significant blow to the party’s image before the high-stakes election.

Who is Naveen Yadav?

Naveen Yadav is a well-known local leader in Jubilee Hills, respected for his strong grassroots network and his long-time association with community development initiatives.

Before joining the Congress, Yadav was active in civic issues within the constituency and is believed to command significant local support, especially among middle-class and youth voters.

Party insiders claim his selection reflects the Congress’s strategy to project a “local face with strong public connect” to counter BRS’s emotional appeal with Sunitha Gopinath’s candidacy.

Azharuddin’s Role in the Jubilee Hills Bypoll

Former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin, who had contested and lost to Maganti Gopinath in the 2023 Assembly elections, was initially considered for the Congress ticket once again.

However, in a strategic move, the state government nominated him as an MLC under the Governor’s quota, clearing the path for Naveen Yadav’s nomination.

According to senior Congress leaders, giving Azharuddin another ticket risked polarising minority votes, potentially benefiting the BRS. “If Azhar lost again, it would end his political credibility. He’s a celebrity, not a grassroots politician,” one TPCC member said.

The decision to nominate Azharuddin to the Legislative Council instead is seen as both a reward for his loyalty and a tactical step to strengthen the party’s urban leadership.

AIMIM’s Influence on Jubilee Hills Seat

The AIMIM, which tacitly supported the BRS in the 2023 Assembly polls, played a crucial role in dividing the Muslim vote bank in Jubilee Hills — a factor that cost the Congress dearly.

In the upcoming bypoll, Congress strategists are expected to focus on reclaiming minority and urban middle-class voters, positioning Naveen Yadav as a “people’s candidate” with strong local roots.