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.
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Tags: #ECI losing independence# functioning at BJP Govt's direction# alleges T'gana Dy CM
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