KTR vs Revanth

A barrage of no-holds-barred attacks by KTR and Revanth ignites the Jubilee Hills By-poll

In the bustling gullies of Hyderabad's Jubilee Hills constituency, a fierce political duel is unfolding, pitting Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of the Congress against KT Rama Rao (KTR), the working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). What started as a by-election battle has quickly escalated into a high-drama preview of the 2028 assembly polls, where both leaders are poised to spearhead their parties' campaigns. As simultaneous road shows and corner meetings light up the streets, the air is thick with rhetoric, personal jabs, and promises of development, drawing crowds and underscoring the shifting sands of Telangana politics.

The campaign kicked off on October 31, with both heavyweights hitting the trail in election vehicles, wooing voters in a constituency known for its mix of affluent neighborhoods and bastis. Revanth Reddy, leading the charge for Congress candidate Naveen Yadav, held back-to-back corner meetings in Borabanda and Erragadda on Friday and Saturday. Not to be outdone, KTR, campaigning for BRS's Maganti Sunitha, launched road shows in Shaikpet on Friday and Rahamat Nagar on Saturday.

The parallel efforts have turned Jubilee Hills into a battleground, with voters caught in the crossfire of competing narratives.

Looking ahead, the intensity shows no signs of waning. On November 2, KTR's roadshow campaigns shift to Yusufguda; November 3 to Borabanda; November 4 to Somajiguda; November 5 to Vengal Rao Nagar; and November 6 to Erragadda divisions. A final push is slated for November 8 in Shaikpet, Yusufguda, and Rahamat Nagar. This synchronized scheduling isn't coincidental—it's a deliberate strategy to dominate visibility and outmaneuver the opponent in key voter pockets.

Adding star power to Revanth's entourage is Mohammad Azharuddin, the former Indian cricket captain who was recently sworn in as a Cabinet Minister on October 31 after being appointed as an MLC. Azharuddin, once a contender for the Jubilee Hills seat himself, now flanks Revanth, symbolizing Congress's efforts to blend celebrity appeal with political muscle.

"As MLA, Naveen Yadav, and as Minister, Azharuddin will stand by you," Revanth proclaimed during his rallies, framing the duo as champions of progress.

But beneath the pageantry lies a barrage of no-holds-barred attacks, revealing deep-seated animosities. Revanth didn't mince words, lambasting KTR for neglecting Jubilee Hills during his decade-long tenure as Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister. "The rulers looted the state and never visited to address grievances," Revanth charged, accusing KTR and Harish Rao of provoking auto drivers while hypocritically riding in autos to deceive voters. He escalated the rhetoric by labeling BRS leaders as "looters in disguise" who fostered drugs and ganja, contrasting them with Naveen Yadav, whom he portrayed as a defender of the poor rather than a "rowdy." Revanth urged voters: "Elect Naveen Yadav for development—I'll show you what progress looks like in Jubilee Hills."