Context of the Jubilee Hills By-Election
- The Jubilee Hills by-election has been seen as a test of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's political stability. BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) said the election result would determine whether Revanth Reddy could continue as Chief Minister for three years or only three months.
- KTR felt that the direct involvement of the Chief Minister to campaign for one seat speaks volumes about the fear within the Congress leadership. He even claimed that leaders from Nalgonda and Khammam are opposing Revanth Reddy in Delhi and some are getting ready to challenge him for the Chief Minister’s post.
- KTR explained, if the BRS candidate Maganti Sunitha wins the by-election, then it could be a path in the direction of the return of the KCR-led government within 500 days. He called party workers to come forward to take collective responsibility for people’s welfare.
Remarks by KTR during the Campaign
- KTR, speaking at a roadshow in Sri Krishnanagar, Yusufguda division, in the evening, mounted an attack on Revanth Reddy over his pre-poll promises. Revanth Reddy does propaganda before elections and later claims to have no money to implement them, he said.
- KTR accused the Chief Minister of failing to fulfill the six guarantees promised to the people. He urged voters to compare the ten-year rule of KCR with the two-year governance of Revanth Reddy before casting their votes.
- He added that supporting the BRS candidate would send a strong message to the Congress. According to KTR, welfare schemes like financial aid for girls (Rs. 2,500), support to the elderly (Rs. 4,000), and assistance to the disabled (Rs. 6,000) could continue only when a BRS victory is ensured. He said the 4 lakh voters of Jubilee Hills have an opportunity to influence the future of 4 crore people across the state.
Remarks on Asaduddin Owaisi and Muslim Voters
- KTR also questioned the political stand taken by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi recently. He said once Revanth Reddy entered the constituency, he made threatening statements against Muslims and asked Muslim voters to defeat the Congress:
- KTR called Revanth Reddy a supporter of RSS and claimed that Mohan Bhagwat controls Gandhi Bhavan. He asked why Owaisi has changed his stand and what are the benefits Congress offered him in support of moving motions.
- He urged the voters to support the BRS "car" symbol, saying that only their votes could stop unfair use of state power by Congress. "Give us the sword, it is our duty to stop the bulldozer and protect the people," he said.
Allegations of Electoral Misconduct
KTR accused Congress of trying to win the Jubilee Hills by-election through distribution of money and voter manipulation. He said though the Congress party is aware of its weak position, it is still trying to influence the voters with cash. He further claimed that Congress leaders are planning to cast fraudulent votes if the voter turnout is low. KTR stated that during the KCR government, drainage works worth Rs. 12 crore were started in Yusufguda, of which Rs. 2 crore worth of work was completed. He promised to complete the remaining works if the BRS candidate Sunitha wins the election.
