Is the Congress Candidate for Jubilee Hills Bypoll Finalized?
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Synopsis
The race for the Jubilee Hills bypoll heats up as Telangana Congress chief Mahesh Kumar Goud clarifies that no candidate has been finalized, despite Azharuddin's bold claims. With the political stakes rising following Gopinath's untimely death, who will ultimately carry the Congress banner in this crucial election?
Key Takeaways
- Candidate selection process is crucial for the Congress party.
- The by-election is prompted by the death of sitting MLA Maganti Gopinath.
- Azharuddin has shown ambition but awaits official confirmation.
- Political dynamics in Telangana are shifting rapidly.
- The importance of maintaining party credibility is paramount.
Hyderabad, June 20 (NationPress) - Just a day after former Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin publicly announced his intention to be the Congress candidate for the by-election in the Telangana Assembly from the Jubilee Hills constituency, the state Congress chief, Mahesh Kumar Goud, clarified that the party has yet to finalize its candidate.
Goud emphasized that the party follows a comprehensive process for candidate selection.
The by-election for the Jubilee Hills seat arises due to the passing of the sitting MLA, Maganti Gopinath, from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
Gopinath had won against Azharuddin by a margin exceeding 16,000 votes in the 2023 elections, but sadly passed away from a cardiac arrest on June 8.
Azharuddin, who holds the position of Working President within the state Congress, reaffirmed his commitment to contest the by-election.
He proclaimed himself as the candidate amidst rumors suggesting he might not be nominated. As Jubilee Hills is his home turf, the former MP expressed his determination to run again from this region.
Upon being asked for comments on Azharuddin's declaration, Goud reiterated that the Congress has a structured procedure for selecting candidates.
He informed reporters that aspirants must first submit their applications to the state unit. After a thorough review, the applications are forwarded to the party's Central Election Committee and the Congress Working Committee, which ultimately decide on the candidate. “Until that process is complete, anything said is not definitive,” he remarked.
Recently, Azharuddin was appointed as a member of the political affairs committee of the state Congress. His son, Mohammed Asaduddin, was also named as General Secretary.
In 2009, Azharuddin won a seat in the Lok Sabha from the Moradabad constituency in Uttar Pradesh shortly after joining the party. In 2014, he was nominated from Rajasthan’s Ton-Sawai Madhopur but faced defeat.
In 2018, he was appointed as the Working President of the Telangana Congress and campaigned for the party during the 2018 Assembly elections, but he was not fielded in either the Assembly or Lok Sabha elections.
Nevertheless, he was selected as the Congress candidate for Jubilee Hills in the 2023 elections, where he was defeated by Gopinath of the BRS, who achieved a hat-trick of victories in this constituency.
Point of View
The ongoing developments within the Congress party regarding the Jubilee Hills bypoll highlight the complexities of candidate selection. As political dynamics shift, it remains crucial for the party to maintain a transparent and structured process to uphold its credibility and trust among constituents. The recent statements reveal both the ambition of potential candidates and the necessity of adhering to party protocols.
NationPress
20/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Congress candidate for Jubilee Hills?
As of now, the Congress party has not finalized its candidate for the Jubilee Hills by-election, despite Mohammed Azharuddin's announcement.
Why is there a by-election in Jubilee Hills?
The by-election is necessitated by the unfortunate demise of sitting MLA Maganti Gopinath of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi.
What is the process for selecting a Congress candidate?
Candidates must submit their applications to the state unit, which are then reviewed and forwarded to the Central Election Committee and Congress Working Committee for finalization.
What previous political experience does Azharuddin have?
Mohammed Azharuddin previously served as a Member of Parliament, having been elected in 2009, and has held various positions within the Congress party.
What was Azharuddin's performance in the previous elections?
In the 2023 elections, Azharuddin was the Congress candidate for Jubilee Hills but lost to Gopinath of the BRS.
