Hyderabad: BJP MP M. Raghunandan Rao has lodged a formal complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer of Telangana alleging that Congress workers, led by local leader V. Naveen Yadav, illegally distributed voter identity cards in Jubilee Hills, an act the BJP says amounts to a breach of Election Commission rules and an attempt to influence voters ahead of the impending by-election.
Rao’s complaint, dated 6 October 2025, says the distribution took place at a public event in Jubilee Hills where Congress banners and posters were on display and, he alleges, local police personnel facilitated the activity.
The BJP MP urged the CEO to order an immediate inquiry, identify officials who aided the event and take prompt action to prevent political parties from interfering with electoral administrative functions. Photographs were annexed to the complaint.
https://twitter.com/RaghunandanraoM/status/1975236247254884844
The complaint comes against the backdrop of a high-stakes by-election to the 61–Jubilee Hills Assembly seat, which the Election Commission scheduled after the death of sitting BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath in June 2025. Gopinath died following a heart attack on 8 June 2025, and the vacancy triggered the by-poll.
Following publicity around the alleged voter-card distribution, police have registered a case against Naveen Yadav. Officials say the complaint was framed after an electoral officer reported the incident; the FIR invokes election-related provisions and sections of the penal code cited in local reports. The Congress leader has been booked for allegedly violating Election Commission guidelines and attempting to induce voters, police sources said.
The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for the Jubilee Hills by-election. The Gazette notification will be issued on 13 October 2025, nominations will close on 21 October, scrutiny will be held on 22 October, and withdrawals will be accepted until 24 October. Polling will take place on 11 November 2025, counting on 14 November, and the election process will be completed by 16 November 2025.
The BRS has officially announced Maganti Sunitha, wife of the late MLA Maganti Gopinath, as its candidate for the Jubilee Hills by-election. Meanwhile, both the Congress and the BJP are yet to finalise and announce their candidates for the high-profile constituency.
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