BRS seeks Naveen Yadav’s disqualification for issuing threats during Jubilee Hills bypoll
HYDERABAD: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Telangana Chief Electoral Officer against Congress candidate Naveen Yadav, contesting from the Jubilee Hills Assembly Constituency, alleging that he issued public threats to party workers in violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
BRS accuses Jubilee Hills Congress candidate of criminal intimidation
In a letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner, the BRS alleged that Naveen Yadav, in the presence of his party cadre and the media, made intimidating remarks against BRS workers on October 29, 2025. The complaint states that Yadav, speaking before Tholi Velugu channel and other media outlets, declared, “I will finish off the BRS cadre in a week,” a statement which the BRS described as a deliberate attempt to create fear among political opponents.
The party said the video of the remarks has gone viral across social and digital platforms, vitiating the election atmosphere in the constituency. “Despite our earlier complaint dated October 29, no action has been taken so far. Such conduct directly affects the fairness of the electoral process,” the letter said.
The BRS urged the Commission to immediately register a case and an FIR against Yadav under Sections 127 (undue influence on the free exercise of electoral right), 124 (promoting enmity and disturbing public peace), 352 (criminal intimidation by threat), and 182 (public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. It also sought his disqualification and debarment from campaigning, along with restraining orders prohibiting him from attending public meetings or media interactions.
Complaint alleges violation of multiple Model Code of Conduct clauses
The complaint further alleged that Yadav’s actions violated several MCC provisions, including Clause 1(1) and 1(4) (use of intimidation), Clause 2(1) (causing hostility between political parties), and Clause 4.3 (incitement to violence). It called upon the ECI to direct media houses to furnish raw footage of Yadav’s statements and to ensure protection for BRS leaders and cadre.
The letter claimed that the Congress-led state government was misusing official machinery for political advantage and that the lack of timely response by authorities had emboldened the Congress candidate to continue his acts. “The violent utterances of the Congress candidate need to be taken very seriously, given his background,” the BRS stated.
The party invoked Article 324 of the Constitution, urging the ECI to exercise its plenary powers to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections in the Jubilee Hills bypoll.
