Revanth Reddy likens SIR row to anti-Simon agitation, warns of 'Sir Go Back' chorus
Telangana CM A. Revanth Reddy compared the SIR of electoral rolls to the 1928 anti-Simon Commission agitation and alleged centralisation of poll decisions.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has drawn a parallel between the 1928 agitation against the Simon Commission and the continuing controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, suggesting that a nationwide movement against the exercise could take shape in the coming days.
Speaking at a conclave in New Delhi on the theme "India's Next Chapter", he said the country had once come together under the call of "Simon Go Back" and would similarly unite around the slogan "Sir Go Back". He named Mamata Banerjee, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray and M.K. Stalin as leaders who could join hands on the issue.
The Chief Minister alleged that decisions concerning electoral rolls were being concentrated with the Election Commission, and claimed that artificial intelligence was being deployed in the process.
Turning to Telangana's pending projects, he accused the Union government of denying his state the kind of cooperation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had received from then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when Mr. Modi was Gujarat's Chief Minister. Files relating to the Regional Ring Road, metro rail expansion and other works were awaiting clearance at the Centre, he said, adding that investment opportunities, including a semiconductor project, were being diverted to Gujarat.
"This is not a north-versus-south issue; it is becoming Gujarat versus the rest of the country," he said.
On delimitation, Mr. Revanth Reddy contended that southern States risked losing political representation if Lok Sabha seats were reallocated mainly on the basis of population. He also criticised the concentration of important Union portfolios in northern States and made the case for adequate political representation for the south.
Defending his government's welfare guarantees in Telangana, he said no political party could afford to ignore welfare in a competitive environment, while stressing that administrations must strike a balance between welfare spending and the funds needed for development.