Article Today, Hyderabad:
The Jubilee Hills by-election in Telangana has become the epicentrer of political tension, with protests intensifying over Backward Class (BC) reservations and unemployment. Several community organisations, student groups, and unemployed associations have announced plans to file mass nominations as a form of protest. The bypoll, meant to fill a local vacancy, has now evolved into a state-level confrontation between the ruling Congress government and multiple social groups.
Unemployed Youth Announce Mass Nominations
Telangana Unemployed JAC leaders declared that over 300 job aspirants would file nominations to contest in the Jubilee Hills bypoll. They accused the Congress government of failing to deliver on its pre-election promise of providing two lakh jobs.
The protestors said not a single major recruitment notification had been issued in nearly two years of Congress rule. “We will defeat Congress symbolically through this election,” said a JAC spokesperson, adding that the alleged irregularities in the Group-1 exams had deepened the crisis of trust among unemployed youth.
Mala JAC Takes On SC Classification
Adding to the growing unrest, the Telangana Mala Joint Action Committee announced plans for 200 of its members to contest the bypoll in protest against the State government’s stance on Scheduled Caste (SC) classification. The committee accused Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of acting against the interests of the Mala community. Under the slogan “Mala Pledge, Congress End,” the JAC leaders demanded immediate amendments to the SC classification law, arguing that the current categorisation discriminates against 58 sub-castes.
BC Quota Stir Gains Momentum
Meanwhile, BC organisations and Left parties have intensified their agitation over the delay in implementing the BC reservation bill. The Communist Party of India (CPI) accused the BJP-led Central government of blocking the bill passed by the Telangana Assembly that seeks 42 per cent reservations for BCs in local bodies. CPI leaders announced full support for the statewide bandh called by BC organisations on October 18. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) also announced a “Chalo Raj Bhavan” protest on October 17, demanding the inclusion of the BC quota bill under the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.
Protests Escalate After Kavitha’s Detention
The political climate further intensified after police detained BRS leader and Jagruthi president K. Kavitha, who attempted to hold a discussion on unemployment and irregularities in Group-1 exams at the City Central Library in Chikkadpally. The denial of permission led to clashes between police and her supporters, with protestors reportedly breaking through the library gate. The incident added to growing perceptions of government pressure on dissenting voices.
Rising Political Pressure on Congress
The convergence of social protests, mass nominations, and public anger has placed the Congress government under increasing pressure ahead of the Jubilee Hills bypoll. What began as a local electoral contest has now become a symbolic battleground for multiple grievances — from BC reservations to joblessness and social justice. Political analysts say the by-election will serve as a critical test of the Congress government’s credibility and its ability to manage dissent across diverse sections of society.
