Polling day in Hyderabad’s Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency on November 11, 2025, unfolded with a level of intensity and security more often seen in a general election than a bypoll. As the sun rose over the city, voters began making their way to one of the 407 polling stations, where over 4.01 lakh eligible citizens were called to determine the fate of 58 candidates in a contest that has captured the attention of Telangana’s political landscape.
According to the Deccan Chronicle and The Hindu, the by-election was necessitated by the untimely death of sitting BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath in June 2025. The race has shaped up as a high-stakes, triangular battle among the ruling Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), with each party fielding a prominent candidate: L Deepak Reddy for BJP, Sunita (widow of the late Gopinath) for BRS, and Naveen Yadav for Congress, who enjoys the backing of Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM.
Polling began promptly at 7 a.m., and by 3 p.m., voter turnout had reached 40.20%, as reported by the Election Commission of India. The turnout was being closely watched, with the final figures expected after polls closed at 6 p.m. The day was not only about numbers, though—the atmosphere was charged with anticipation, and the stakes for each party could hardly be higher.
Security was a dominant theme throughout the day. Out of the 407 polling stations, 226 had been identified as “critical” due to the potential for unrest or irregularities. To address these concerns, around 1,800 police officers, supplemented by central security forces, were deployed. For the first time in a Telangana by-election, drone surveillance was put in place at all polling locations, providing centralized aerial monitoring and real-time situation analysis. Web-casting covered every station, allowing election officials to keep a close eye on proceedings from afar. It was clear that authorities were determined to ensure a peaceful and transparent process.
Yet, the day was not without its hiccups. During mock polling exercises, several EVMs malfunctioned, necessitating the replacement of nine machines before voting began in earnest. Chief Electoral Officer Sudarshan Reddy expressed serious concern over the presence of non-locals in the constituency and instructed officials to register cases against them. By midday, three FIRs had already been filed in connection with these incidents. Despite these challenges, polling proceeded peacefully, and the mood among voters was generally optimistic.
The campaign leading up to the by-election had been nothing short of electric. According to Deccan Chronicle, the ruling Congress pulled out all the stops, with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy leading an intense, multi-day campaign—an unprecedented move for a sitting CM in a bypoll. All Congress ministers were drafted into the effort, underscoring just how much was at stake. The BJP, for its part, was no less visible, with Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy and Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar making regular appearances. The BRS, still reeling from a string of electoral defeats, sent senior leader K T Rama Rao into the fray, hoping to rally supporters with padayatras, roadshows, and street-corner meetings.
Why such a feverish campaign for a single assembly seat? The answer lies in the broader political context. While the outcome of this bypoll will not alter the numerical strength of the Congress government, it is widely seen as a referendum on Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s performance. A win would cement his authority; a loss would embolden the BRS and BJP, both of whom have been aggressive in their criticism and are eager to seize any sign of weakness. As The Hindu notes, the by-election is a “do-or-die battle” for the BRS, which suffered a shock defeat in the 2023 assembly polls and failed to win any seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. For the BJP, a victory would bolster its claim as the principal alternative to Congress ahead of the 2028 assembly elections.
Congress, meanwhile, is banking on several factors to carry it across the finish line. The recent induction of former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin into the Council of Ministers is expected to resonate with Muslim voters, who make up an estimated one lakh of the constituency’s population. The support of AIMIM, a significant force in Hyderabad politics, is also seen as a major boost. Naveen Yadav, the Congress candidate, has been visible and energetic throughout the campaign, even visiting polling stations on his bike to encourage turnout. After casting his vote at Venkata Giri Nasser High School with his family, Yadav told reporters, “Every vote counts in a democratic system,” urging all citizens to participate and emphasizing his commitment to the development of Jubilee Hills.
Not only politicians but also celebrities made their presence felt on election day. Acclaimed film director SS Rajamouli, accompanied by his family, was spotted casting his vote at a polling station in Sheikpet, demonstrating the civic spirit that permeated the constituency.
Beyond the candidates and the parties, the voters themselves played a central role in shaping the day’s narrative. With Muslims expected to play a decisive role in the outcome, all eyes were on turnout figures from areas with significant minority populations. The Congress, buoyed by AIMIM’s support and Azharuddin’s appointment, hoped to consolidate this crucial vote bank, while the BRS and BJP each sought to make inroads with promises of development and stability.
The Election Commission’s commitment to transparency and order was evident not just in the deployment of drones and web-casting but also in the rapid response to technical issues and the firm stance against non-local interference. As the day wore on, the sense of civic duty among voters was palpable, and the peaceful conduct of polling stood as a testament to the effectiveness of these measures.
With polling concluded at 6 p.m., the focus now shifts to the counting of votes, scheduled for November 14, 2025. The outcome will not only determine who represents Jubilee Hills in the state assembly but also provide a crucial barometer of political sentiment in Telangana. For the Congress, BRS, and BJP, the stakes could hardly be higher, and the verdict of the voters will echo far beyond the boundaries of this prestigious Hyderabad constituency.
As Jubilee Hills awaits the results, the by-election stands as a vivid reminder of the vibrancy—and unpredictability—of Indian democracy, where every vote truly does count.
