Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy accused the Modi government of using SIR voter removal to target people opposed to the BJP. Speaking at a media conference at Telangana Bhavan in Delhi, he alleged that the Centre had earlier used the ED, CBI and Income Tax Department to retain power. He claimed the government was now using the Election Commission for the same purpose.
Revanth Reddy alleged that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had received instructions to delete votes belonging to BJP opponents. He criticised the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and claimed the BJP was using it to remove voters rather than protect voting rights. According to him, authorities introduced the exercise in 1950 to help people exercise their franchise.
The Chief Minister claimed that young people, unemployed citizens and poor voters who opposed the BJP were being targeted. He also alleged that the BJP had won elections in states where officials conducted SIR, while the party lost in states where the exercise had not taken place.
SIR voter removal raises concerns over democratic rights
Revanth Reddy accused the BJP of creating divisions along religious and regional lines. He alleged that the party was separating wealthy people and BJP supporters from poor people, tribal communities and BJP opponents. He warned that nearly 20 per cent of the country’s population could lose voting rights.
Describing the issue as a national security concern, he backed Rahul Gandhi’s “Gyanesh Kumar Go Back” campaign. He said the campaign would help protect the country. Revanth also claimed that the other two Election Commissioners had objected to errors in the SIR process.
He argued that their objections raised questions about decisions taken by Gyanesh Kumar. The Chief Minister challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to explain his opposition to removing the Chief Election Commissioner.
Revanth Reddy also discussed changes to the Election Commissioner appointment process. He said the selection panel previously included the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the Chief Justice of India. However, a 2023 amendment replaced the Chief Justice with the Union Home Minister. The panel now includes the Prime Minister, Home Minister and Opposition leader.
Revanth added that Rahul Gandhi had warned against appointing Gyanesh Kumar. He reiterated his criticism of SIR voter removal and the Chief Election Commissioner during the media briefing.