Telangana’s Political Shift: Understanding Congress’s Fourth Consecutive Win Since 2023
An in-depth explainer on what the recent political victories in Telangana mean, why they matter, and what they signify for the state’s future.
Introduction
In the past two years, the Indian National Congress (INC) has recorded a series of electoral victories in the southern state of Telangana that mark a notable shift in the region’s political landscape. Since its win in the state’s 2023 legislative assembly election — which ended nearly a decade of rule by the regional party Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) — the Congress has gone on to secure multiple victories in subsequent polls, including by-elections and local body results. These wins, including the latest bypoll result in the Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency, have been widely described as the party’s fourth consecutive win since 2023.
This article explains what this winning streak is about, why it has unfolded, how it developed, who is affected, and what it may mean for Telangana and Indian politics more broadly.
Background: Telangana’s Political Landscape
Formation of Telangana and Rise of Regional Politics
Telangana became India’s 29th state in 2014 after decades of regional agitation for separate statehood. That movement was led by the party that later became the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), under the leadership of K. Chandrashekar Rao. The BRS dominated state politics from the first state elections in 2014 through 2018, capturing strong support by positioning itself as the fiercest advocate for Telangana’s identity and development.
However, internal discontent and changing electoral dynamics began affecting the BRS’s popularity. In the December 2023 Telangana Legislative Assembly election, the Indian National Congress, in alliance with the Communist Party of India (CPI), defeated the BRS to form the state government. Congress won 64 of the 119 assembly seats, while the BRS was reduced to 39 seats.
This was a watershed result — it marked the first time since the state’s formation that Congress had come to power, and it reflected an electorate open to political change.
What Happened: The Consecutive Wins
Since the 2023 assembly victory, Congress has continued to win key electoral contests in Telangana. These wins have taken place in a variety of electoral formats — from assembly by-elections to local governance polls — and have helped consolidate the party’s position in the state.
Here’s a basic timeline of the four consecutive wins being discussed:
| Date/Contest | Election Type | Winner | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 3, 2023 | Telangana Assembly Election | Indian National Congress | Ended BRS rule; Congress formed state government |
| May/Jun 2024 (Bypoll) | Secunderabad Cantonment* | Congress | First by-election win after 2023; broke urban drought for Congress |
| (Intermediate local polls) | Gram Panchayat / Local bodies | Congress-aligned candidates | Continued success in rural polls |
| Nov 14, 2025 | Jubilee Hills Assembly Bypoll | Indian National Congress | Recent bypoll win emphasising urban gains |
*Secunderabad Cantonment is a legislative assembly segment where a bypoll took place due to the passing of the sitting MLA.
Each of these outcomes has been interpreted as a validation of Congress’s governance since 2023 and an indication that voters are willing to extend their support beyond a single election cycle.
Why These Wins Matter
Breaking BRS’s Urban Strongholds
One of the most striking aspects of the recent results is that Congress has made inroads into urban constituencies where it previously struggled. The victory in Jubilee Hills, an affluent and politically significant constituency in Hyderabad, was especially noteworthy because historical performance had placed Congress at a disadvantage in such urban areas.
Urban electoral success matters for several reasons:
- It reflects a broader appeal beyond traditional rural or semi-urban bases.
- It influences public perception ahead of future municipal corporation and local council elections.
- It signals voter approval of governance outcomes in modern infrastructure, services, and urban policy.
Strengthening Governance Credibility
Telangana’s state government, led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, has highlighted welfare and development programs as key factors in its support base. From free electricity subsidies and welfare schemes to targeted benefits for women and farmers, these policies have been presented as tangible improvements that resonate with voters.
Winning subsequent polls — especially in smaller constituencies or by-elections where local issues often dominate — is seen by political observers as a sign that voters may be evaluating Congress’s performance in office, not just its political promises.
Why Consecutive Wins Occurred: Root Causes and Contributing Factors
Several overlapping dynamics help explain why Congress has managed these successive victories:
1. Anti-Incumbency against the BRS
By the time of the 2023 assembly polls, the BRS had governed Telangana for nearly a decade. Even though many regional parties benefit from long tenures, persistent criticisms over job creation, infrastructure, and public services may have eroded its appeal, creating openings for a change-oriented opposition.
2. Strategic Candidate Selection
In some bypolls, Congress fielded candidates with local visibility or ties to influential community groups, enhancing its competitiveness in constituencies where it previously lacked strong representation.
3. Coalition Dynamics and Local Alliances
In certain areas, smaller parties like the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) have chosen not to contest directly and instead tacitly support Congress, especially in constituencies with significant minority populations. This has helped consolidate anti-BRS votes in some contests.
4. Grassroots Organizational Gains
Success in gram panchayat and local council seats suggests that the party’s reach at the grassroots level has expanded, translating into more effective mobilization and voter outreach in subsequent polls.
Who Is Affected — And How
Voters
For everyday voters, these political shifts can have direct consequences:
- Policy continuity or change: Elections influence the kinds of public services and welfare programs that citizens receive.
- Urban vs Rural representation: The electoral success of a party in urban seats like Jubilee Hills could signal more attention to metropolitan issues such as transportation, sanitation, and housing.
Political Parties
- The BRS, once dominant, has had to recalibrate its strategies to regain lost ground.
- The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and regional parties now see shifting voter loyalties that could impact future election strategies.
- Smaller parties may find themselves in more complex coalition or competition dynamics depending on how votes realign.
Real-World Impact
Short-Term
- Public confidence: A series of wins can boost the perceived legitimacy of a government’s policies and priorities.
- Political momentum: Winning frequent contests can enhance morale within a party and attract more resources and volunteers.
Long-Term
- Policy focus: If the Congress maintains or expands its hold, it may pursue an agenda prioritising welfare and social spending.
- Political competition: Opponents will likely intensify efforts to challenge this dominance, possibly reshaping alliances and campaign strategies ahead of future elections.
What Might Happen Next
Future Elections
The next major marker on the electoral calendar is the Telangana Legislative Assembly election in 2028. How the Congress’s performance over the next few years influences public opinion will be pivotal.
Political analysts will watch:
- Municipal corporation elections (especially in Hyderabad), which may test urban voter sentiment again.
- Statewide local body polls, where performance could signal grassroots shifts.
Governance Challenges
Maintaining voter approval requires ongoing delivery of public services and economic opportunities. Should economic frustrations or governance fatigue set in, the political landscape could shift again — potentially toward the BRS or other rivals.
Conclusion
The description of a “fourth consecutive win for Congress since 2023” in Telangana captures more than a tally of electoral results. It reflects a broader realignment in voter priorities and state politics. From ending a long-standing rule by a regional power to securing subsequent victories in by-polls and local seats, Congress’s recent electoral performance highlights changing dynamics in Telangana’s democratic fabric.
These outcomes are shaped by shifting local sentiments, the performance of governing coalitions, and strategies that resonate across rural and urban voters. As Telangana continues navigating its complex political terrain, the results thus far illustrate how electoral momentum and governance can combine to influence both present outcomes and future prospects.
Note: This article is based on reported election results and political developments sourced from multiple news outlets and publicly available data. It is intended to provide explanatory context rather than real-time reporting.