Hyderabad: The Supreme Court’s decision upholding the disqualification of Danam Nagender has set the stage for one of Telangana’s most closely watched electoral battles, with the Congress, BRS and BJP preparing for a high-stakes by-election that could shape the political narrative ahead of the crucial civic polls in Greater Hyderabad.More than just a contest for a single assembly seat, the Khairatabad bypoll is being viewed as a prestige battle for all three major parties as they seek to consolidate their position before elections to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Cyberabad Municipal Corporation and Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation.The constituency holds particular significance because all three parties have enjoyed success here since the 2009 delimitation exercise. Danam first contested from the segment in 2009 and has remained a dominant political figure in its electoral landscape ever since.Political analysts point out that, unlike the recent bypolls in Secunderabad Cantonment and Jubilee Hills, the Khairatabad by-election is unfolding under entirely different circumstances. The earlier by-elections were necessitated by the deaths of sitting BRS legislators and were won by the Congress. Khairatabad, however, will witness Telangana’s first by-election triggered by the disqualification of a sitting MLA under the anti-defection law, making it a significant political test for all parties.The outcome is expected to offer an indication of public sentiment on defections as well as the Congress govt’s performance on key urban issues such as civic infrastructure, drinking water supply and power. The bypoll is also likely to be viewed as a precursor to the larger civic battles scheduled in the coming months.The Congress is banking heavily on the state govt‘s developmental agenda and welfare initiatives undertaken over the past two years. The party is also expected to rely on the personal influence of Danam, who remains one of the strongest political figures in the constituency.A three-time MLA from Khairatabad, Danam won the seat in 2009, 2018 and 2023. Political observers note that AIMIM’s support played a role in the Congress victory in the Jubilee Hills bypoll. However, it remains unclear whether the party will extend similar support in Khairatabad. BRS leaders argue that the Muslim voter population in Khairatabad is considerably lower than in Jubilee Hills, making the electoral dynamics different.The BRS, meanwhile, is projecting confidence and believes growing public dissatisfaction with the Congress govt could work to its advantage. Party leaders contend that issues relating to civic infrastructure, water supply, power shortages, and political defections have generated resentment among voters.“The voters expressed their anger on Danam by defeating him in Lok Sabha polls, when he contested on a Congress ticket barely months after winning from Khairatabad,” BRS MLC Dasoju Sravan said.The BRS is also banking on its record in Hyderabad, arguing that much of the city’s infrastructure growth occurred during its regime. Leaders frequently point to the party’s strong performance in the 2023 Assembly election, when it won a significant number of seats across Greater Hyderabad.The BJP, which won Khairaatabad in 2014 through Chintala Ramachandra Reddy, sees the by-election as an opportunity to regain lost ground in the constituency. Party leaders believe anti-incumbency against both the Congress and BRS, coupled with the BJP’s organisational strength, could help it emerge as a serious contender.BJP state president N Ramchander Rao has maintained that voters now view the BJP as the only viable alternative to the Congress and BRS. Significantly, BJP MLA Alleti Maheshwar Reddy was among those who pursued the disqualification issue by filing a petition against Danam over defection.With the Congress seeking to retain the seat, the BRS hoping to turn voter anger over defections into electoral gains and the BJP attempting to stage a comeback, the Khairatabad bypoll is shaping up as a three-cornered contest with implications far beyond a single assembly constituency.
