Key Allegations
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Telangana president N. Ramchander Rao on Monday alleged that the Congress, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), and other parties are opposing the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process to protect “illegal voters.” Addressing a press conference at the party’s State office in Hyderabad, Mr. Rao claimed that between 5,000 and 10,000 individuals who had entered the country illegally from Pakistan were residing in Hyderabad. He demanded that these parties respond to the public on these allegations.
Details of Alleged Infiltration
Mr. Rao further alleged that names of “illegal infiltrators” were being added to electoral rolls in parts of the Old City, claiming they were securing Aadhaar and ration cards with political support from these parties. He also raised broader concerns about illegal immigration across India’s borders, referring to alleged entries of Bangladeshis, Rohingyas, and other groups. Complaints on similar issues had been reported from states such as Bihar and West Bengal, and comparable suspicions were now emerging in Hyderabad. He accused the Congress of having a history of benefiting from “bogus votes.”
Defense of SIR Process
Defending the SIR exercise, Mr. Rao said Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had “no moral right” to speak about “vote theft” and asserted that the revision process was meant to protect legitimate voters. “A clean and transparent electoral roll is essential for strengthening democracy. No eligible Indian citizen’s vote will be removed — only ineligible names will be struck off,” he said. He stressed that SIR is not a new initiative and has been conducted multiple times across the country to update voter lists by removing names of deceased individuals, those who have relocated, and by correcting errors. He also claimed the process has judicial backing, including support from the Supreme Court, which has underscored the need for accurate electoral rolls.
Political Reactions
Attributing electoral outcomes to the SIR process was “an insult to democracy,” Mr. Rao asserted, arguing that voters — not SIR — decide election results. He questioned that if BJP benefited in West Bengal because of SIR, how did the United Democratic Front (UDF) win in Kerala? He urged political parties to actively scrutinise voter lists during the revision process, cautioning against blaming the Election Commission later for any discrepancies.
What Readers Should Know
- The SIR process is a routine exercise by the Election Commission to update electoral rolls.
- BJP’s allegations focus on Hyderabad’s Old City and involve claims of illegal immigration from Pakistan.
- Similar concerns have been raised in Bihar and West Bengal regarding Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators.
- The Congress and BRS have not yet responded to the allegations.
FAQ
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process?
SIR is an Election Commission exercise to update voter lists by removing deceased, relocated, or ineligible names and correcting errors, ensuring accurate electoral rolls.
How many illegal immigrants did BJP claim are in Hyderabad?
BJP Telangana president N. Ramchander Rao alleged that between 5,000 and 10,000 individuals who entered India illegally from Pakistan are residing in Hyderabad.
Which parties are accused of protecting illegal voters?
BJP accused the Congress, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), and other parties of opposing the SIR process to protect illegal voters.
What did BJP say about the SIR process and democracy?
BJP stated that SIR is essential for a clean electoral roll and that attributing election outcomes to SIR is an insult to democracy, as voters decide results.
Source: www.thehindu.com