Telangana Dy CM Bhatti Alleges SIR Irregularities, Says Congress Fighting to Protect Voting Rights
NEW DELHI, Oct 12 (TNT): Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka on Monday accused the Election Commission of alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, claiming that the process was being used to create conditions favouring the BJP, and said the Congress was fighting to protect the voting rights of every citizen.
Addressing a press conference in Delhi along with IT Minister D Sridhar Babu, after participating in a protest organised at the call of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) against alleged vote theft, Bhatti said the right to vote was a fundamental pillar of Indian democracy and must be protected.
He alleged that irregularities in the name of SIR were undermining voters’ rights and creating an electoral environment favourable to the BJP.
He said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had been raising concerns over the issue across the country.
Under the leadership of AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress was intensifying its nationwide campaign against alleged vote theft, Bhatti said, adding that the movement was aimed not merely at protecting the party’s electoral interests but at safeguarding every citizen’s right to vote.
He said the Congress had earlier submitted representations to the President of India and approached other constitutional institutions to raise concerns over voters’ rights. The party was now holding a peaceful satyagraha in Delhi, following Mahatma Gandhi’s path, to draw attention to the alleged irregularities.
Bhatti appealed to democratic forces and citizens to unite in defence of democracy and protect the integrity of the electoral process.
A large contingent of Congress leaders from Telangana participated in the protest under the leadership of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president Mahesh Kumar Goud.
The delegation included State ministers, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, senior party leaders and representatives of the Mahila Congress, Youth Congress, NSUI, Seva Dal and other affiliated organisations.
Bhatti reiterated that protecting voting rights was a collective responsibility and called upon citizens to join the campaign to safeguard democracy.
