Hyderabad: Today, Ponnam Prabhakar, the minister overseeing Hyderabad, announced that the Congress party will choose a local candidate for the Jubilee Hills by-election. He emphasized that candidates from outside the area will not be considered this time.
In a media interaction, joined by cricketer-turned-politician Mohammad Azharuddin, Ponnam hinted that Azharuddin might contest again for this significant seat. The Transport Minister assured that the party members would unite to support whoever the leadership selects, expressing confidence in the Congress party’s potential victory in Jubilee Hills.
The by-election was triggered by the passing of BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath, who won against Azharuddin by over 16,000 votes in 2023. Gopinath died of a heart attack on June 8. Despite earlier doubts about his candidacy, Azharuddin, also a PCC Working President, had already shown interest in running again.
Many party leaders are eyeing the Jubilee Hills ticket. Besides Azharuddin, contenders include former Mayor Bonthu Rammohan, TMREIS chairman Md Faheemuddin Qureshi, former PCC working president Jetti Kusum Kumar, V Naveen Yadav (who ran for AIMIM in 2014), and C Rohin Reddy (recently a candidate in Amberpet). Azharuddin, who attended the Political Affairs Committee meeting, has openly stated his intent to compete in Jubilee Hills, despite his previous election defeat.
Bonthu Rammohan, after a quiet period following his unsuccessful attempt for the Secunderabad MP ticket, seeks a comeback, claiming strong local support. His wife, Sridevi, a corporator in the Cherlapally division, reportedly enjoys a strong backing in Jubilee Hills. Kusum Kumar, from the Kamma caste, had aimed for an MLC position with support from former MLC T Jagga Reddy, emphasizing the need for Kamma representation.
