The campaign for the Jubilee Hills by-election is in its final days, with polling set for 11 November. Maganti Sunitha, wife of the late Maganti Gopinath, represents the BRS, while Naveen Yadav is contesting from the Congress.
BRS is relying on sympathy after the sudden death of sitting MLA Maganti Gopinath. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, on the other hand, wants to win this seat at any cost and prove his political command in Hyderabad.
The election also serves as a test for Revanth Reddy’s HYDRAA, a body created to address urban flooding, illegal land encroachments, and environmental damage in Hyderabad and its surrounding areas. It acts as an enforcement unit and watchdog for public assets.
HYDRAA focuses on protecting and reclaiming government lands, lakes, and water bodies from unauthorized encroachments by politicians, builders, and other influential figures. It has demolished several illegal structures and restored large tracts of public land.
Opposition leaders, however, accuse HYDRAA of unfair targeting. They claim its bulldozers often go after the poor while sparing the powerful. In some cases, that criticism has proved true.
Initially, HYDRAA’s actions were harsh on the poor, but officials have since become more cautious. Despite that, the body’s work in recovering public lands and curbing encroachments has earned praise from many.
Even this week, HYDRAA reclaimed several government lands in Jubilee Hills and nearby areas. This by-election will test how voters view Revanth Reddy’s leadership and HYDRAA’s impact on the city.
If Congress loses, HYDRAA’s actions might be among the reasons. But a victory would show that Revanth Reddy still enjoys strong public support. The GHMC elections, however, will give a clearer picture of people’s mood on local governance.
If results in both elections go against Congress, Revanth Reddy may slow down HYDRAA’s operations. For now, the Jubilee Hills by-election remains a crucial test of his leadership and Hyderabad’s faith in his reforms.
