Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Saturday turned the Jubilee Hills bypoll into a prestige battle — not just for his govt but for the Congress’ party too.Making an impassioned appeal to voters, especially women and minorities, the CM urged them to ‘give just one chance’ to the Congress to bring in Rs 3,000 crore worth of development works and welfare schemes that the BRS and BJP, he claimed, had failed to deliver over the past decade.Addressing street-corner meetings in Borabanda and Erragadda — where women turned up in large numbers — Revanth portrayed the by-election as a larger ideological clash. “This is not a contest between Maganti Sunitha and Naveen Yadav,” he declared. “It’s between KCR-Modi on one side and Revanth-Rahul Gandhi on the other.” The CM played the emotional and political card deftly — reminding voters of his promise to make former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin a minister despite his electoral defeat last year. “You gave three terms to Maganti Gopinath, two to KTR and KCR (former CM), and yet your problems remain. Even Union minister G Kishan Reddy, who won twice from Secunderabad, got you not a paisa from the Modi govt,” Revanth claimed.He urged voters to rally behind Congress candidate Naveen Yadav, describing him as a ‘local lad who grew up among you.’ “It is my guarantee — if you elect him, I’ll sanction new cement roads, improve water supply, solve drainage problems, and issue new ration cards,” Revanth promised.The CM sharpened his attack on BRS and BJP, accusing them of working hand in glove. “KCR supported the BJP on the triple talaq bill, and in the election of the President and Vice-President. Modi and Amit Shah promised to scrap the 4% Muslim quota — and KCR stood with them. Even now, Kishan Reddy and BJP have written to the governor opposing Azharuddin’s induction as minister,” he said.Calling the BRS-BJP ‘relation’ a ‘Fevicol bond,’ Revanth alleged that both parties were helping each other stay relevant. “BRS lost its deposit to ensure BJP won eight Lok Sabha seats in Telangana, paving the way for Modi’s third term. Now BJP is ready to lose its deposit in Jubilee Hills to help BRS. Decide whether you want to vote for a BRS that turns into a lotus, or a Congress that stands for all religions and communities,” he told voters.Revanth also made a pointed appeal to women voters, questioning KTR’s moral right to seek votes in the name of sentiment. “KTR couldn’t even stand by his sister Kavitha. How can he claim to care for Maganti Sunitha? Even Kavitha herself said her family looted public wealth and abandoned her. KCR didn’t have a single woman in his cabinet between 2014 and 2018 — will such a party respect women?” he asked.Promising fine rice, ration cards, 200 units of free electricity, gas cylinder for Rs 500, and interest-free loans for women, the CM urged them to teach BRS a lesson. “They are instigating auto drivers against the free bus travel scheme for women. I’ll soon announce a special package for auto drivers,” he added.Capping off his roadshow, Revanth vowed to honour the legacy of the late Congress leader P Janardhan Reddy. “We will name Borabanda crossroads after PJR and install his statue there. After PJR, there has been no leader from Greater Hyderabad regarded as the god of the poor. I’m giving you two soldiers — Naveen Yadav and minister Azharuddin. Make Naveen Yadav a leader like PJR to serve you,” he said to loud cheers.
