'Tourist Visit': BRS Slams BJP Over Unmet Telangana Promises and Voter Deletion
BRS leader P Vishnuvardhan Reddy accuses BJP of betraying Telangana and alleges the deletion of 95 lakh voters from electoral rolls.
The political temperature in Telangana has spiked as Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader P Vishnuvardhan Reddy launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing the Union government of betraying the state. The BRS leader questioned the sincerity of the BJP's commitments and raised serious allegations regarding the integrity of the electoral rolls.
'Amit Shah Came as a Tourist'
Targeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah following his recent visit to the state, Vishnuvardhan Reddy dismissed the visit as superficial. He claimed that the Home Minister arrived "as a tourist" and departed without providing any concrete answers to the pressing demands and concerns of the people of Telangana.
The BRS leader emphasized that for the past 13 years, the Union government has consistently failed the state, withholding promised funds and grants that were essential for regional development.
Broken Promises of the 2014 Reorganisation Act
A central point of contention is the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014. Vishnuvardhan Reddy demanded clarity on several high-profile projects that have remained stalled or unfulfilled, including:
- The Bayyaram Steel Factory: A long-awaited industrial project.
- The Kazipet Rail Coach Factory: A key infrastructure promise for the region.
- National Status: The demand for national status for various Telangana-based projects.
According to the BRS leader, these pending commitments are not just administrative delays but a pattern of betrayal by the Centre.
Shocking Allegations of Voter Deletion
Beyond development projects, the BRS has raised a red flag over democratic processes. Vishnuvardhan Reddy questioned the BJP's 'Save Democracy' campaign, alleging a massive irregularity in the electoral rolls. He claimed that the BJP, in collusion with the Election Commission, has been involved in the deletion of nearly 95 lakh eligible voters.
This allegation comes amidst a heated political battle over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, with the BRS questioning how the BJP can champion democracy while allegedly undermining the voting rights of millions.
The BJP's 'Loktantra Bachao' March
These accusations follow a massive show of strength by the BJP in Hyderabad. Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently led the 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' (Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy) march. The event saw a sea of party workers and supporters filling the streets of Hyderabad, carrying portraits of Amit Shah and waving party flags to signal the BJP's growing presence in the state.
While the BJP views the march as a movement to protect democratic values, the BRS maintains that there is "no place for the BJP in Telangana" as long as the Union government continues to ignore the state's legitimate demands.