Telangana CM urges Left parties to join Congress against 'vote theft'

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has called on Communist parties to forge a united front with the Congress, alleging that the BJP is orchestrating a systematic removal of anti-BJP voters from electoral rolls in Telangana.

Speaking at a memorial meeting for veteran Communist leader and farmers' activist Sarampalli Malla Reddy in Hyderabad, the Chief Minister claimed the proposed Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is being used as a tool to target and delete votes that would likely go against the BJP.

Revanth Reddy alleged that the BJP is replicating its West Bengal strategy in Telangana, identifying anti-BJP voters at the polling-booth level. He claimed there is a conspiracy to delete as many as one crore votes in the state, with private agencies engaged to conduct surveys for identifying such voters. Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and minorities are among the primary targets of this exercise, he said.

Appealing directly to the Left parties, the Chief Minister said defeating Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be a victory for the Communists as well. "We should be united and fight against Modi in the country. Elections and fundamental rights of the poor are different aspects," he remarked.

Recalling the historical role of Communist parties in championing the cause of the underprivileged, Revanth Reddy noted that the Red Flag has long given weaker sections confidence and reassurance.

Paying tribute to Sarampalli Malla Reddy, the Chief Minister described his death as an "irreparable loss" to the farming community. He praised the veteran leader's rise from a remote area to the national stage, his deep understanding of agricultural issues, and his articulate manner of raising them throughout a life dedicated to farmers' rights.