Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy demanded the rollback of the SIR exercise and restoration of voter rights for citizens affected by the revision. He also called for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Reddy made the remarks in New Delhi on October 8 while criticising the BJP and the Election Commission over the voter roll revision. He alleged that the BJP was using divisive tactics based on religion, caste, region and language.
He also accused the BJP of using Central agencies to pressure the Opposition and weaken institutions. Reddy alleged that the political dispute had now centred on the voter rights of citizens.
The Chief Minister claimed that 13 crore or more citizens could lose their voting rights through the SIR exercise. He described the alleged scale of disenfranchisement as unprecedented.
Reddy also pointed to the growth in India’s electorate since 1952. He said the number of voters had increased in every election, including the three General Elections held during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure.
Voter rights become central to Revanth Reddy’s SIR demand
Reddy argued that a decline in the total number of voters in the next election would create an unusual situation. He alleged that the exercise was targeting poor and marginalised sections, including Dalits, tribals, OBCs and minorities.
According to Reddy, the issue went beyond the Congress or the INDIA bloc. He described it as a matter concerning the country’s future and the voter rights of citizens.
He also linked voting rights to other constitutional protections. Reddy alleged that if the government could illegally remove voting rights, other rights could also face threats.
Meanwhile, Reddy recalled the Congress party’s role in India’s independence. He said the party had fought for freedom and universal voting rights rather than merely seeking political power.
The Chief Minister said India would stand for every citizen’s right to vote. He demanded that the government reverse the SIR exercise and restore the voter rights of affected citizens.
Reddy issued a direct political warning to the BJP. He said either the party should remove Gyanesh Kumar and reverse the SIR exercise, or it would face political consequences.
His remarks came amid Opposition protests over the SIR exercise. The voter rights issue has remained a central point of criticism from Congress leaders.