Telangana SIR: CM Revanth Reddy alleges BJP plot to delete Congress votes

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of Telangana alleged on Saturday that the BJP-led Central government was attempting vote theft in Opposition-controlled states under the pretext of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Addressing a gathering of party workers in Kodangal, Reddy warned that the BJP was plotting to secure victory in the upcoming Assembly polls in Telangana by erasing the votes of Congress supporters.

He contended that the BJP had replicated its deceitful strategy in previous elections, such as those in Maharashtra, Bihar, and West Bengal, where they allegedly removed votes to gain an advantage. Reddy also claimed that the BJP was specifically targeting Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and minority voters during the SIR process.

The CM vowed that Congress party workers would not remain passive and would resist any attempt to delete the names of Congress supporters. Party members were warned that they would not tolerate such actions. Additionally, Reddy accused the BJP of utilizing the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation to challenge political opponents in prior elections.

He also criticized the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, the main Opposition party in Telangana, alleging their support for the BJP in the deletion of Congress supporters from the SIR list. The final Telangana SIR list is set to be published on October 19; however, sources suggest that the state government has recently requested an extension of the deadline by three to four weeks from the Election Commission.