Telangana BJP Alleges Voter Intimidation, Seeks Election Body Intervention
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Telangana has urged the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to inform the public that possessing a voter ID card is not required to avail government welfare schemes. This follows a clarification reportedly issued by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
On Monday, BJP state president N. Ramchander Rao and senior leader Marri Shashidhar Reddy submitted a memorandum to the CEO, alleging that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and other state government functionaries have been warning rural residents that they must enrol as voters or risk losing access to welfare benefits.
The BJP leaders also alleged that in several areas, particularly in Malkajgiri, Chevella, Hyderabad, and Secunderabad constituencies, voters were being 'intimidated' by Congress and AIMIM leaders during the voter enrolment process. They claimed that migrant workers from other states were being targeted.
According to the BJP, individuals were 'forcibly collecting, withholding or taking away' enumeration forms from prospective voters on the grounds of ineligibility. The party stated that such actions amount to interference in the electoral process and create an atmosphere of fear.
Mr. Shashidhar Reddy emphasized that every citizen ordinarily residing in a constituency and meeting legal requirements is entitled to be enrolled, regardless of place of origin.
Mr. Ramchander Rao accused the ruling party of pressuring booth-level officers to discourage enrolment of migrants and voters perceived to support the BJP, with the aim of reducing their numbers on electoral rolls. He also claimed that voters were falsely informed they cannot vote in Telangana and were compelled to return to their native states.
The BJP reiterated its demand for independent observers from other states to oversee the enumeration process and urged election authorities to take strict action against illegal activities. The party also called for deployment of central forces in 'sensitive' areas to protect voters from undue influence.
