Deccan News Service | Hyderabad

The nomination process for the high-stakes Jubilee Hills Assembly by-election concluded on Tuesday, with more than 150 candidates filing their papers. The seat, which fell vacant following the demise of BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath, has drawn an unprecedented number of contestants, including representatives from major political parties, independents, and issue-based groups.

BJP candidate Lankala Deepak Reddy formally filed his nomination on the final day, joining Congress and BRS nominees in the contest. Several independent candidates, including Regional Ring Road (RRR) affected farmers, student leaders from Osmania University, and activists representing unemployment associations, also submitted their papers, reflecting the wide public interest in the by-election.

Election officials reported heavy footfall at the Returning Officer’s office till the last hour of the nomination period. “Only those present within the premises before 3 p.m. were permitted to file nominations,” said RO Sairam, who will begin the scrutiny of papers from Wednesday.

The final list of candidates will be announced after the withdrawal deadline on October 24. Polling for the Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency is scheduled for November 11, with vote counting to take place on November 14.

The unusually high number of nominations indicates rising political engagement and public sentiment surrounding one of Hyderabad’s most closely watched constituencies.