Ponguleti Alleges SIR Plot To Delete 30–35% Congress Votes
The minister cautioned that discrepancies such as errors in age or spelling in voter details could be cited as grounds for deletion of votes. He asked BLAs to remain vigilant and ensure that no Congress supporter’s name was removed from the rolls.
Nalgonda: Revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy on Friday alleged that the BJP-led Central government was trying to remove 30 to 35 per cent of Congress supporters from electoral rolls under the guise of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
He was addressing an awareness meeting for Congress Booth Level Agents (BLAs) from the Palair Assembly constituency held at Edulapuram in Khammam district.
Srinivas Reddy alleged that the Centre was targeting non-BJP state governments and Opposition parties by misusing Central agencies. He expressed concern over the alleged use of the CBI, ED and Income-Tax department to create pressure on elected representatives.
He claimed that the BJP government was working to delete voters supporting Congress in constituencies where the party has strong presence. He further alleged that a similar exercise had been carried out in Bihar and West Bengal and was now being extended to Telangana.
The minister cautioned that discrepancies such as errors in age or spelling in voter details could be cited as grounds for deletion of votes. He asked BLAs to remain vigilant and ensure that no Congress supporter’s name was removed from the rolls.
Referring to the rejection of Congress candidate Meenakshi Natarajan for the Rajya Sabha elections, he alleged that despite having more than the required number of supporting votes, her nomination was rejected citing an old FIR due to pressure from the Centre. He accused the BJP of “stealing” a Rajya Sabha seat.
Srinivas Reddy also called upon party cadres to closely monitor the voter verification process scheduled from June 25 to July 24, stating that there was a risk of deletion of votes of those staying away for work or education if they were not present during verification visits.
District Congress Committee president Noothi Satyanarayana Goud and BLAs from 291 polling booths attended the meeting.
