Khairthabad by-election to test BJP’s performance in Hyderabad

The upcoming Khairthabad by-election is emerging as an important test for the BJP in Hyderabad after the party’s performance in recent Greater Hyderabad bypolls. The contest will also be closely watched ahead of the pending GHMC elections.

Hyderabad: Despite the claims being made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State unit about gaining ground in Telangana, particularly Hyderabad, the electoral performance of the party presents a contrasting picture.

Since the December 2023 Assembly elections, there have been two by-elections in Greater Hyderabad. The Secunderabad Cantonment by-election was held in 2024, followed by the Jubilee Hills by-election in 2025.

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In both elections, the BJP failed to make a significant impact, while the ruling Congress emerged victorious.

The Secunderabad Cantonment by-election was held on May 13, 2024, alongside the Lok Sabha elections. However, the BJP failed to win the seat. This was followed by the Jubilee Hills by-election in November 2025, where the BJP polled only 17,061 votes and finished a distant third.

Now, with the Khairthabad by-election expected to be held soon, the BJP’s ability to improve its performance has become a subject of discussion in political circles. After Ramchander Rao took charge as BJP State president in May 2025, the Khairthabad by-election will be the second election and an important test of his leadership.

The by-election will also be a test for Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, as the Khairthabad Assembly constituency falls under the Secunderabad Lok Sabha constituency, which he represents.

Against this backdrop, the Khairthabad by-election assumes significance for the BJP ahead of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections, which have been due since January this year. Several leaders are already showing interest in contesting the by-election. Apart from former Khairthabad MLA Chintala Ramachandra Reddy, BJP official spokespersons Chikoti Praveen and Indrasena Reddy, and BJP executive member J Keerthy Reddy are among those being considered as probable candidates by party leaders.

The BJP’s candidate selection and performance in the by-election have become subjects of discussion in political circles.