Polling for the Jubilee Hills By-election is complete, and the fate of the candidates now rests in the EVM Machines. You will see the result only tomorrow when officials open them.
Until then, every party watches the numbers with tension.
KTR and Revanth Reddy led the campaign for their parties. So every win or loss directly reflects on them. KCR kept himself away from the entire campaign and left the responsibility to KTR.
Exit Polls show a tough situation for the BRS. Almost all of them predict Congress winning, and many show a huge lead for the Congress candidate. If this stands, it becomes a serious setback for the BRS and KTR.
A defeat here will be the third electoral loss under KTR's leadership after the Parliament Election and the Secunderabad Cantonment By-election. The Car Party has not seen success since the 2023 defeat. This result will invite new questions about KTR's position and leadership strength.
KCR may have stepped aside to push focus onto KTR and build consensus around him. But that effort is not showing results. The BRS cadres worked hard in Jubilee Hills, and a loss now will drain their energy and confidence.
Revanth Reddy will also gain momentum from a win. It strengthens his hold over the Congress Party, which is another setback for the BRS. Losing a seat in the GHMC region adds to the trouble.
Congress has not won a single GHMC seat despite taking Telangana. Opening its account with Jubilee Hills becomes a direct blow to the BRS. This matters more now because the GHMC Elections are close.
BRS ranks now hope the Exit Polls turn out wrong. But the body language and statements of BRS leaders, including their candidate Maganti Sunitha, show discomfort, and that signals deeper trouble.