BRS working president KT Rama Rao, meanwhile, argued that despite the defeat, the party had registered a “significant vote share” and gained momentum as the principal challenger to the Congress.
Published Nov 15, 2025 | 1:18 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 15, 2025 | 1:18 AM
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.
Synopsis: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said the Congress’s win in the Jubilee Hills by-election was a clear indicator of the party’s growing strength, arguing that the party’s vote share had grown steadily since assuming power in 2023. He accused the BRS and the BJP of obstructing key projects and running “toxic propaganda,” while urging leaders of both parties to engage constructively with his government. BRS working president KT Rama Rao, however, maintained that the result confirmed the BRS as the principal alternative to the Congress.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Friday, 14 November said that the Jubilee Hills Assembly by-election result once again proved that the Congress is “gaining strength with every successive election.”
He argued that the party’s vote share has been steadily expanding since the 2023 Assembly polls.
Speaking to the media after the results were announced, the chief minister congratulated party workers and the people of Telangana for what he described as a “responsibility-enhancing mandate.”
“We do not get carried away by victory or collapse in defeat. In Opposition, we fight for people’s issues; in power, we solve them. That is the Congress culture,” he said.
Citing each party’s vote shares, he said the bypoll’s political signal was “loud and clear,” with Congress securing 51 percent of the vote, Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) 38 percent and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 8 percent.
“People have closely watched our two years in government and have rewarded our work,” he added.
Revanth also claimed that the city’s voters had endorsed the government’s development agenda, including metro expansion, elevated corridors, Musi rejuvenation, traffic solutions and Godavari water supply plans, observing that citizens were “tracking both our conduct and our governance.”
The chief minister came down heavily on what he called the BRS’ “fake campaigns and toxic propaganda” on social media.
Revanth accused the Opposition of deliberately obstructing development projects such as Hydra and Musi, while BJP MP and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, he alleged, was blocking central clearances and refusing to help Telangana secure its rightful funds.
“Even in this by-election, Kishan Reddy behaved more like a candidate than a Union Minister, and yet he could secure only 17,000 votes for the party’s candidate,” the chief minister said.
He said the result should serve as a “quake alert” for the BJP leader: “If he doesn’t change his ways, the political earthquake will bury him.”
Revanth invited Kishan Reddy to the Secretariat for a review meeting on pending central approvals and directed the deputy chief minister to prepare a detailed report on lapsed funds and stalled permissions.
He also delivered sharp advice to former ministers from the BRS: “Harish Rao garu, shed your envy. KTR [KT Rama Rao], tone down your arrogance. Power is never permanent.”
The chief minister also targeted what he called “business-driven media houses spreading blatant misinformation.” He said some outlets continued projecting a BRS surge even when the Congress lead was evident. “Do not lose credibility. If you have bias against us, show it differently,” he said.
Highlighting the party’s rising vote share over the past year, Revanth presented comparative numbers:
“This trend shows the Congress is marching ahead. If we stay united, even if someone’s forefathers descend, they cannot defeat us,” he said.
Revanth reiterated his government’s commitment to turning Hyderabad into a global city through infrastructure expansion, improved mobility and efficient urban governance.
“People’s clear verdict has strengthened our resolve. We will continue working to make this city a true world-class metropolis,” he added.
At Telangana Bhavan, BRS working president KT Rama Rao struck a contrasting note, arguing that despite the defeat, the party had registered a “significant vote share” and gained momentum as the principal challenger to the Congress.
He thanked party cadres and Jubilee Hills grassroots workers, praising their efforts. He acknowledged that the BRS candidate Maganti Sunitha lacked political experience but fought the election “with sincerity and determination.”
Despite the loss, KTR said the result had energised the BRS, noting that the party had emerged as a strong alternative after the Lok Sabha elections.
“We will not be demoralised. We will continue to fight for the people. We will stay among the people until we bring KCR garu back as Chief Minister,” he said.
KTR also praised leaders who campaigned through personal tragedies, including Harish Rao and MLC Ravinder Rao, and thanked thousands of social media volunteers exposing “government irregularities.”
The BRS working president claimed that the party had campaigned with dignity while the ruling party used abusive rhetoric.
He said the party explained the development that took place in the constituency when the BRS was in power, amounting to ₹5,300 crore, while exposing what he called “every broken promise of the Congress” through the ‘Baaki Card’ campaign.
Rama Rao reiterated allegations of massive electoral irregularities by the ruling party, ranging from bogus votes to fake voter cards and violations on polling day.
He argued that the “conduct of the Election Commission and police must be publicly debated” and insisted that the bypoll process deserved scrutiny. He claimed the BJP losing its deposit showed the “BJP-Congress collusive politics” at work.
Looking ahead, he said defections might trigger multiple by-elections, similar to West Bengal, and vowed that the BRS was ready to take on the Congress in ten simultaneous bypolls if required. He added that the party was prepared to “battle forcefully” in the upcoming local body elections.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
