With just days left for polling, the Jubilee Hills bypoll has turned into a high-stakes political battle, as minority votes appear to be split between the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and the Congress. The AIMIM, which decided not to field a candidate this time, is actively campaigning for Congress nominee V. Naveen Yadav, marking a rare political alignment that has surprised many.
In a striking scene, Karwan MLA Kausar Mohiuddin was seen going door-to-door, distributing Congress campaign leaflets featuring Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and the hand symbol with the slogan “Haat Ku Vote Do.” The MLA appealed directly to passersby and residents to support the Congress candidate — a move that symbolises AIMIM’s full backing in this election.
However, political observers point out that AIMIM’s own influence in Jubilee Hills has historically been limited. In the 2023 Assembly elections, AIMIM secured only 7,800 votes, despite Asaduddin Owaisi holding multiple road shows and rallies in the constituency.
Adding to the political irony, AIMIM’s leadership is currently campaigning against Congress in the Bihar elections, while Kausar Mohiuddin and Faraz Rasheed Uddin are canvassing for Congress in Jubilee Hills. This contradictory stance has led to debates on AIMIM’s political strategy and consistency.
Analysts say that minority votes will play a decisive role in determining the bypoll outcome, given that Jubilee Hills has around 1.6 lakh Muslim voters. With BRS and Congress locked in a neck-and-neck contest, even a slight shift in voting patterns could tip the scales.
Some experts also caution that the split in minority votes between Congress and BRS could indirectly benefit the BJP, which is banking on a consolidated Hindu vote base. The BJP’s candidate, who secured over 25,000 votes in 2023, could emerge as a dark horse if the minority vote divides sharply.
