States » SouthPosted at: Nov 1 2026 2:19PM


ECI losing independence, functioning at BJP Govt's direction, alleges T'gana Dy CM

New Delhi/Hyderabad, Nov 1 (UNI) Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Sunday alleged that the Election Commission of India (ECI) was losing its independence and functioning according to the directives of the BJP government rather than acting as an autonomous constitutional institution.
Addressing the INDIA bloc's 'Chalo Delhi – Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao' mega rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, he alleged that attempts were being made to deprive eligible citizens of their voting rights under the guise of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Bhatti Vikramarka said Rahul Gandhi had been raising concerns about the functioning of the Election Commission and alleged irregularities in electoral rolls for the past five to six years. He said the objections reportedly being raised by other Election Commissioners over the functioning of the Chief Election Commissioner had brought the issue into sharper focus.
He stressed that ''the Election Commission must function independently and take decisions in accordance with the Constitution rather than the wishes of the ruling government.''
Stating that the right to vote was a constitutional guarantee for every eligible citizen, he said any attempt to deprive people of this right would strike at the foundations of democracy. He called upon people across the country ''to unite in a nationwide movement to safeguard democracy and electoral rights''.
The Deputy Chief Minister further alleged that efforts were made to delete around 20,000 to 25,000 votes in each Assembly constituency. He claimed that Congress candidates had won several constituencies with margins of 40,000 to 60,000 votes despite such alleged deletions, adding that their victory margins could have been higher otherwise.
He observed that when electoral victory margins generally ranged between 10,000 and 20,000 votes, the alleged deletion of 20,000 to 25,000 votes in a constituency could significantly influence election outcomes.
Describing the rally organised following the calls of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi as historic, Bhatti Vikramarka said the movement was aimed at protecting every citizen's right to vote and preserving the democratic values enshrined in the Constitution.
UNI VV RSA
Tags: #ECI losing independence# functioning at BJP Govt's direction# alleges T'gana Dy CM
More News

Karnataka bus fares to go up from Nov 5: Minister

01 Nov 2026 | 3:01 PM

Bengaluru, Nov 1 (UNI) Karnataka Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh on Sunday announced that fares of state-run transport buses would be increased from November 5, with the extent of the hike to be finalised at a meeting on November 4.

see more..

Deep depression over Bay intensifies into Cyclonic Storm "Murasu", to concentrate further, cross AP coast on Oct 3

01 Nov 2026 | 2:31 PM

Chennai, Nov 1 (UNI) The Deep Depression over the Bay has intensified into Cyclonic Storm Murasu on Sunday and it would further intensify as Severe Cyclonic Storm tomorrow and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between midnight and early morning of November 3 before weakening as Cyclonic Storm and further as Depression the same day.

see more..

ECI losing independence, functioning at BJP Govt's direction, alleges T'gana Dy CM

01 Nov 2026 | 2:19 PM

New Delhi/Hyderabad, Nov 1 (UNI) Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Sunday alleged that the Election Commission of India (ECI) was losing its independence and functioning according to the directives of the BJP government rather than acting as an autonomous constitutional institution.

see more..

Madras HC directs police to file final report in 4 weeks against Kayalvizhi in SBI Bank Manager slap case

01 Nov 2026 | 1:54 PM

Chennai, Nov 1 (UNI) The Madras High Court has directed the Shastri Nagar police to file within four weeks, the final report in the
case against Kayalvizhi Alagiri daughter of former union Minister M.K.Alagiri, for allegedly slapping a State Bank of India (SBI)
Adyar Branch Manager in Chennai.

see more..

First South India Vande Bharat Sleeper flagged off

01 Nov 2026 | 1:54 PM

Bengaluru, Nov 1 (UNI) union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Sunday flagged off the Bengaluru–Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Express at Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal here, describing it as a significant addition to railway connectivity between two major economic hubs.

see more..