In the Jubilee Hills by-election, the BJP appears more focused on saving its deposit than securing a victory. Party insiders admit that their main goal is to at least retain the deposit, given the weak ground-level situation. During the 2023 Assembly elections, the BJP candidate lost his deposit, and similar concerns are haunting party leaders this time too.
Despite its strong presence in Hyderabad during the 2019 GHMC elections and Kishan Reddy’s two Lok Sabha wins, the BJP’s local momentum seems to have weakened. Sources reveal that leaders are working hard to cross the 17% vote mark needed to save their deposit. Union Ministers Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay have been actively campaigning to revive the party’s image in Jubilee Hills.
Political observers believe that if the BJP candidate, Deepak Reddy—considered close to Union Minister Kishan Reddy—fails to retain his deposit again, it could trigger internal criticism. Some leaders argue that giving the ticket to a BC community candidate might have strengthened the fight. Ignoring such advice, Kishan Reddy is now personally leading the campaign.
To secure at least 20% of the votes, party leaders are reportedly planning strategic poll management in select areas. Their current goal is not just to perform better but to avoid another embarrassment of losing the deposit in this high-stakes contest.
