Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy urged people to safeguard votes amid SIR and ensure that no eligible voter lost their name from the electoral rolls. He also asked Congress workers to verify voters’ details across every household in Telangana.
Revanth Reddy made the appeal while addressing the Minorities Excellence Summit at Komaram Bheem Adivasi Bhavan in Banjara Hills on Thursday. He alleged that some political forces were attempting to remove voters’ names during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision.
The Chief Minister referred to the deletion of lakhs of votes in West Bengal before the Assembly elections. He warned that similar attempts could target Telangana.
Revanth Reddy said some political parties had turned their attention towards Telangana after their victory in West Bengal. He asserted that the Congress would oppose any attempt to fraudulently remove eligible voters from the electoral rolls.
The Chief Minister asked Congress cadre to visit every household and verify the voting details of residents. He stressed that workers should ensure that no eligible person lost the right to vote.
“Everyone must become a Revanth Reddy and safeguard the right to vote,” he said.
Revanth Reddy also spoke about the Congress government’s measures for minorities. He said Hindus and Muslims were like two eyes to him.
Safeguard votes amid SIR, Revanth says minority welfare remains priority
Revanth Reddy referred to Union Minister Amit Shah’s statement on the four per cent reservation for minorities. He said Shah had stated that the reservation would go if the BJP came to power in Telangana.
“We already challenged Amit Shah to first remove the Muslim quota in Gujarat,” Revanth Reddy said. He credited the Congress with introducing the four per cent reservation for minorities.
The Chief Minister said his government had implemented the four per cent reservation effectively. He said minority youth had secured Group-1 and Group-2 government jobs under the policy.
Revanth Reddy also said his government had ensured minorities received their due representation. He said some forces approached the Supreme Court to stall the recruitment process, but the government pursued the matter and completed the appointments.
Listing welfare and development measures for minorities, the Chief Minister said the government had appointed a member of the minority community to the Telangana Public Service Commission.
He also referred to appointments involving former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin and cricketer Mohammed Sirajuddin. According to Revanth Reddy, Azharuddin received a ministerial position in the State Cabinet, while Sirajuddin became a DSP.
The Chief Minister also cited boxer Nikhat Zareen’s appointment to a Group-1-level post and the award of a ₹3 crore cash prize. He presented these measures as examples of the government’s support for minority achievers.
Revanth Reddy further urged minority youth to develop job skills along with formal education. He said they should prepare to pursue employment opportunities in Germany and Japan.
The Chief Minister thanked Muslims for their support and cooperation. He said their support had helped him reach the position of Chief Minister of Telangana.