Hyderabad: The deadline for filing nominations for the Jubilee Hills Assembly by-election ended on Tuesday, with a record 180 candidates entering the fray for the November 11 poll. A large number of nominations were filed on the final day.
Election officials accepted all valid applications submitted by 3 p.m. The scrutiny of nomination papers will be conducted on Wednesday. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until October 24.
Jubilee Hills bypoll sees heavy turnout of independents
Alongside major party contenders, dozens of independent candidates also filed papers. These included Regional Ring Road (RRR)-affected farmers, unemployed youth, and retired employees. Their entry has added a grassroots dimension to what was shaping into a traditional party battle.
The BJP has fielded Lankala Deepak Reddy, who secured over 25,000 votes in the 2023 Assembly election. The Congress has nominated Naveen Yadav, while the BRS is banking on Maganti Sunitha Gopinath.
High-stakes three-way contest draws attention statewide
The bypoll has become a prestige battle for all major parties. Congress, in particular, is reportedly deploying elaborate campaign strategies and was cautious in finalising its candidate. Political observers expect a tight three-way contest between the BJP, Congress, and BRS.
With a record number of candidates, including several with local grievances, the Jubilee Hills by-election is being watched closely as one of Telangana’s most competitive recent bypolls.