Union Minister Kishan Reddy accuses Congress of questioning constitutional institutions after electoral defeats
Hyderabad, Sept. 27 (TNT): Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy on Sunday accused the Congress of questioning the credibility of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) whenever it loses elections, alleging that the party was attempting to discredit constitutional and national security institutions for political gains.
Addressing the media at the BJP state office in Nampally here, Reddy said the BJP won elections by winning the hearts of people and asserted that it was not the responsibility of the Election Commission to ensure Congress victories or that of EVMs to make Rahul Gandhi the Prime Minister.
He alleged that Congress accepted the electoral process when it won in Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Telangana but questioned the same institutions when the BJP won elections in other states.
Referring to the Emergency imposed in 1975, he accused Congress of undermining democratic rights and press freedom during its rule.
Criticising the Congress government in Telangana, Reddy alleged that even holding a democratic protest at Indira Park required approaching the courts for permission.
He also criticised Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for allegedly prioritising the Gandhi family over the problems of the people of Telangana.
The Union Minister further accused Rahul Gandhi of questioning constitutional and national security institutions, including the armed forces, the judiciary, the Election Commission, the Enforcement Directorate, the Central Bureau of Investigation and Parliament.
He said people wanted stable governance and capable leadership, attributing the BJP’s repeated electoral victories to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre’s welfare and infrastructure development initiatives.
Defending the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, Reddy said the exercise was being conducted under the orders and supervision of the Supreme Court.
He questioned the Congress’s opposition to the removal of entries relating to deceased persons, permanently migrated voters and duplicate registrations, stating that incorrect entries needed to be rectified to ensure accurate and transparent electoral rolls.
He alleged that Congress was politicising the revision process instead of supporting efforts to correct deficiencies in the electoral system.
Reddy also accused Congress governments in Telangana, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh of creating financial difficulties and said the party needed to introspect over its electoral performance in several states.
On reports of differences among Election Commissioners, he said the three commissioners had clarified that there were no differences among them and urged Opposition parties not to create unnecessary controversy over the issue.
Responding to allegations concerning communal harmony and law and order, Reddy claimed that major cities, including Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bengaluru, had witnessed peaceful conditions under the Modi government.
Meanwhile, Reddy thanked the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi, police personnel, municipal staff, government officials and the people of Hyderabad for their cooperation in ensuring the peaceful conduct of the Ganesh immersion festivities in the city.
TNT TS
