Revanth Reddy Warns Against Voter Deletions at Minorities Summit in Hyderabad

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday alleged that attempts were being made to influence future assembly elections by deleting genuine voters from electoral rolls under the guise of the Special Intensive Revision. Speaking at the Minorities Excellence Summit in Hyderabad, he asserted that the state government would not permit such voter suppression.

Addressing the gathering, Revanth Reddy claimed that after West Bengal and Bihar, and alongside upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana was being targeted. He urged citizens across the state to verify their names on the electoral rolls, noting that every single vote carries vital importance. He also directed Congress party workers to carry out door-to-door verification to prevent eligible voters from being disenfranchised.

The Chief Minister stated that efforts were underway to influence who can participate in the 2028 or 2029 elections. He claimed that the majority of an estimated 60 lakh to 70 lakh uncollectable enumeration forms were concentrated in Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts. He asserted that institutional efforts by agencies would not succeed in the state.

Reiterating the state government's support for minorities, Revanth Reddy described Hindus and Muslims as his two eyes and highlighted the firm implementation of the four percent reservation policy. Responding to past remarks by Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the abolition of minority reservation, the Chief Minister noted that the Congress had challenged the central leadership to first demonstrate such an abolition in Gujarat.

He further stated that minority youth have secured government positions through the Group-I and Group-II recruitment examinations. Despite court challenges aimed at stalling recruitments, the state pursued the matter up to the Supreme Court to ensure appointments were finalized. He also noted that a representative from the minority community was appointed to the Telangana Public Service Commission.

Highlighting government assistance for sportspersons from the community, the Chief Minister mentioned that Mohammed Azharuddin had received a ministerial position, while boxer Nikhat Zareen was appointed to a Group-I level post alongside a cash award of Rs 3 crore. He added that the government had amended service rules to appoint cricketer Mohammed Siraj as a Deputy Superintendent of Police.