Hyderabad: Campaigning for the Jubilee Hills bypoll has intensified as political parties compete for Muslim votes, which are expected to play a decisive role in the November 11 election. Of the 3.9 lakh voters in the constituency, nearly 1.2 lakh are Muslim. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen’s (AIMIM) decision to support the Congress instead of contesting has shifted the dynamics of the race.
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi urged voters to back Congress candidate V. Naveen Yadav, describing him as young and capable. He accused the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) of neglecting the constituency despite holding the seat for a decade. The bypoll, triggered by the death of BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath, is now a triangular contest between BRS nominee Sunitha Gopinath, Congress candidate Naveen Yadav, and BJP’s Lankala Deepak Reddy.
The Congress has mobilised senior Muslim leaders, including Mohammad Azharuddin and Mohammad Shabbir Ali, to campaign in Muslim-dominated localities such as Shaikpet. Party leaders believe AIMIM’s support will consolidate the Muslim vote in their favour. Naveen Yadav, who earlier contested on an AIMIM ticket in 2014 and as an independent in 2019, retains goodwill among minority voters.
Meanwhile, the BRS is countering Congress efforts by inducting local Muslim leaders and projecting itself as a party of inclusive governance. K.T. Rama Rao accused Congress of betraying Muslims, pointing out the absence of any Muslim ministers or legislators in the current government.
With both sides competing for minority trust, the Muslim electorate is expected to play a defining role in deciding the outcome.
