Three-cornered Jubilee Hills bypoll favours BJP, says Kishan Reddy

Senior BJP leader and Union Minister for Coal & Mines G. Kishan Reddy claimed on Monday that the upcoming Jubilee Hills bypoll is shaping up to be a three-cornered contest, which he believes will work to the BJP’s advantage.

“In earlier elections, the fight was primarily between the BRS and Congress. But now, the BJP is firmly in the mix, thanks to the public’s disillusionment with both parties,” he said during an informal interaction with the media at the State BJP office.

Mr. Reddy took aim at Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, calling his recent moves ‘desperate’, including the surprise induction of former cricketer Mohd. Azharuddin into the cabinet and his active campaigning across divisions. “It shows the Chief Minister is aware that the sheen has worn off after two years in power,” he remarked.

The BJP leader also advised BRS leader K.T. Rama Rao to ‘stop day dreaming’ since his party has no future in the state. “Former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao hasn’t stepped out of his farmhouse or attended the Assembly. I challenge him to take a padayatra in the constituency and see for himself whether any development took place under his government,” Mr. Reddy said.

However, the Union Minister clarified that he does not view the bypoll as a referendum on the Congress government. “Of the six guarantees, only the free bus scheme for women has been implemented. Other promises, including financial assistance to various sections, remain unfulfilled,” he pointed out.

He also criticized the State government’s handling of the fee reimbursement scheme for private colleges, accusing it of irresponsibility. “True, it’s a legacy issue from the BRS government, but this government has had two years to resolve it or take action in case of funds are misused. Instead, it has put the careers of poor and backward students at risk by unleashing the vigilance department,” he said.

Party leaders S. Prakash Reddy and N.V. Subash were also present.