Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday, accusing it of indulging in 'vote chori' (vote theft) during the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha elections. He alleged that the Returning Officer deliberately rejected the nomination of Congress candidate Meenakshi Natarajan, calling the entire episode a conspiracy involving BJP leaders and the election official.
Revanth Reddy Slams BJP Over 'Seat Theft'
Speaking to the media, Revanth Reddy said, "The BJP has perfected the art of stealing votes. In Madhya Pradesh, they not only stole the seat but also used a 'Kim Jong Un model' to suppress democracy. The Returning Officer acted as a puppet of the BJP, rejecting a valid nomination without any proper reason." He further described the BJP as an anti-democratic force that undermines electoral integrity.
Congress Candidate's Nomination Rejected
The Congress had fielded Meenakshi Natarajan as its candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat from Madhya Pradesh. However, her nomination papers were rejected by the Returning Officer, leading to allegations of foul play. Revanth Reddy claimed that the rejection was a pre-planned move to ensure the BJP's candidate wins unopposed. "This is not just an error; it is a deliberate attempt to subvert the democratic process," he added.
Comments on TMC Rebellion and Centre-State Relations
During his interaction, Revanth Reddy also touched upon the ongoing rebellion within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal. He remarked that internal dissent in any party is a sign of poor leadership and lack of democratic space. On Centre-state relations, he reiterated that the Modi government has been consistently undermining state autonomy, especially in non-BJP ruled states.
Meeting with PM Modi
Revanth Reddy also spoke about his recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where he pressed for several key infrastructure and development projects for Telangana. He demanded the early completion of the Hyderabad Metro Rail expansion, the National Highway development, and pending irrigation projects. "I urged the Prime Minister to release funds for Telangana's development without any political bias. The state deserves its due share," he said.
BJP's Response
The BJP has dismissed Revanth Reddy's allegations as baseless. Party spokesperson said, "The Congress is frustrated with its electoral defeats and is now making false claims to divert attention. The Rajya Sabha election in Madhya Pradesh was conducted as per rules, and the Returning Officer's decision was based on legal grounds." The BJP also accused Revanth Reddy of playing cheap politics instead of focusing on governance in Telangana.
The political row over the Rajya Sabha election is expected to intensify, with both parties trading charges. Meanwhile, the Congress is planning to approach the Election Commission against the rejection of Natarajan's nomination.
