CM Revanth Reddy Alleges Plot to Delete Lakhs of Voters in Telangana SIR Drive

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday alleged that political forces from Gujarat were attempting to delete lakhs of eligible voters in the state through the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Speaking at the Minorities Excellence Summit held at Adivasi Bhavan in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, the Chief Minister cited reports that over 73 lakh voters had been deleted at the end of the SIR enumeration phase and called on citizens to remain alert.

Without naming specific political parties, Revanth Reddy claimed that similar voter deletion attempts had previously taken place in West Bengal and Bihar. He warned that political forces were now trying to target Telangana through the SIR exercise. He stated that while those forces claimed success elsewhere because the issue was not taken seriously there, the Congress administration would not allow eligible voters in Telangana to lose their voting rights.

To counter potential deletions, the Chief Minister urged youth and Congress party workers to visit households over the next 10 days. He instructed cadres to compare the 2002 voter lists with the latest electoral rolls, identify any discrepancies, and report them to Booth Level Officers (BLOs). He also appealed to residents across Telangana to personally verify their family members' names on the electoral lists.

Addressing minority welfare, Revanth Reddy reaffirmed his government's commitment to protecting the four per cent reservation for minorities in Telangana. Responding to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's previous statements regarding the quota, Revanth Reddy challenged Shah to remove the Muslim quota in Gujarat before addressing Telangana. He noted that the Congress-implemented quota had enabled minority youth to secure jobs in Group-I and Group-II services, despite legal challenges in the Supreme Court that the state government successfully pursued.

The Chief Minister highlighted several key appointments made under his administration, including nominating a minority community member to the Telangana Public Service Commission and inducting former Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin into the State Cabinet. He also pointed to the provision of a Group-I level government job and a Rs 3 crore cash prize to world boxing champion Nikhat Zareen, as well as the appointment of cricketer Mohammed Sirajuddin as a Deputy Superintendent of Police.

Revanth Reddy advised minority youth to acquire job-oriented skills to access employment opportunities in countries like Germany and Japan, noting that the state has established a Skills University to boost employability. He concluded by thanking the Muslim community for their support in his elevation to Chief Minister.