BRS moves EC against Bhatti Vikramarka over Jubilee Hills bypoll conduct

HYDERABAD: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) on Monday lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing Congress leaders of violating election laws during the bypoll in the 61-Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency on November 11, 2025.

According to the complaint, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, along with several ministers and party leaders, toured polling areas despite the Model Code of Conduct being in force. The BRS alleged that Congress workers distributed cash and polling slips to influence voters.

Police, EC ‘silent spectators’, says BRS

In a statement issued from its central office, the BRS criticised the “silence” of the police and election officials, calling it “a threat to democratic faith.” The party claimed its workers were attacked for questioning the alleged violations and urged the ECI to act immediately against Bhatti Vikramarka and others involved.

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BRS state leader Enugula Rakesh Reddy alleged that Deputy Speaker Rega Ramachandra Naik and other Congress leaders were “openly distributing cash.” He said, “This conduct shows the Congress has accepted moral defeat. The desperation to win a single bypoll exposes its insecurity.”

Ministers seen near polling stations, alleges BRS

The BRS alleged that Serilingampally MLA Arekapudi Gandhi was seen near the Don Bosco School polling booth in a car, while Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha toured Erragadda and Shankar Lal Nagar in a luxury vehicle.

“Such behaviour damages public trust in elections,” Reddy said. “Congress is trying to manipulate the people’s verdict. With this attitude, it will find it hard to survive in Telangana politics for the next 25 years.”

Complaint cites violation of election laws

The complaint, addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner and senior officials, named Congress MLAs Ramchandra Naik and Beerla Alaiah, MLC Shankar Naik, and Matta Dayanand husband of Sattupally MLA for allegedly moving around polling stations, interacting with voters, and instructing workers. The letter said these leaders, who do not represent the constituency, had “no lawful reason to be near polling stations during voting hours.”

It alleged that their presence violated Sections 130 and 131 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which prohibit canvassing and undue influence near polling stations. The complainant said such acts “created an atmosphere of intimidation,” especially among economically weaker voters.

Request for immediate action

The BRS urged the ECI to direct removal of the accused leaders from Jubilee Hills, register cases under the Representation of the People Act and Indian Penal Code, review CCTV and webcasting footage from affected polling stations, and restrict entry of outsiders within 200 metres of booths without written authorisation.

The complaint concluded that the actions “vitiated the peaceful polling atmosphere” and sought “immediate and stringent action” to restore confidence in the fairness of the electoral process.