KTR Claims Jubilee Hills Loss Not A Setback

Reiterating his party's commitment to championing public concerns, BRS working president K T Rama Rao today said that the loss in the Jubilee Hills Assembly by-election would not hinder the party from serving as a proactive opposition in the State.

Speaking to the media at Telangana Bhavan, KTR thanked the workers and leaders for their efforts during the campaign, and conveyed personal appreciation to every worker who faced challenges during the campaign but plodded on.

"I am grateful to everyone who worked diligently. The local party cadre in Jubilee Hills and the leaders worked hard at every booth," he said.

He also praised the party's candidate, Maganti Sunitha, for her determined effort despite having no prior political experience.

He added that the BRS approached every election with the intention to win and maintained a positive outlook towards the results, and that this result had brought renewed enthusiasm and vigour, especially given the party's vote share despite its loss.

"We appreciate every voter who supported the party. We received a significant share of the votes. Through this election, the people have clearly indicated that the BRS is the only viable alternative to the Congress," he said.

Asking the cadre not to lose hope, he pointed out that between 2014 and 2023 there were seven by-elections in which the then-opposition Congress did not win even once, and that even in the Greater Hyderabad elections it had managed to win only one or two seats. "However, despite not winning a single by-election or retaining deposits, the opposition party came to power in 2023," he said.

The BRS working president also said that there were several questions about the by-election, and that several complaints were submitted to the Election Commission seeking an examination of both the EC and the police actions. "However, we respect the outcome. We will reflect on the results. The voter turnout should have been higher, but we still secured a commendable number of votes, whereas the BJP failed to retain its deposit," he said.

"The implicit understanding between the BJP and Congress seems to have worked. Their collaboration with the RSS brothers has clearly yielded results," he also said.

He added that the BRS had exposed the government's failures, the non-implementation of the six guarantees, and all the instances of deception in the campaigning, and that all of that would have an impact going forward.

KTR also said, "We will continue as the main opposition, standing with the people and for the people, until BRS president K Chandrashekar Rao returns as Chief Minister."

Referring to the Congress' recent setbacks in Bihar and expressing hope for further disqualifications that could lead to more by-elections, similar to what happened in West Bengal, KTR said, "The Congress struggled with just one by-election in Jubilee Hills. Let's see how they handle ten."

He added that the BRS is fully prepared to compete vigorously in the upcoming local body elections.