States » SouthPosted at: Sep 30 2026 6:25PM


Telangana Deputy CM urges former Congress leaders to return to party

Kochi, Sep 30 (UNI) Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu on Wednesday appealed to former Congress leaders who had left the party to return and help strengthen the country by advancing the party's ideology.
Addressing the India Today Conclave South 2026 here, Mallu said he would be “the happiest person” if former Congress leaders returned to the party and appealed to those who had left Congress, in Andhra Pradesh and elsewhere in the country, to rejoin the party.
“I have worked with Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy. I have not worked with Jagan Mohan Reddy. But definitely, as a Congressman, I would be the happiest person if all the old Congress leaders came back and joined the party. I appeal to all those who have left the party, not only in Andhra Pradesh but throughout the country, to please come and join the Congress,” he said.
Mallu's remarks came against the backdrop of several prominent Congress leaders leaving the party over the years and subsequently forming or leading separate political outfits.
On the electoral process, Mallu launched a strong attack on the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, saying its foremost responsibility was to ensure public confidence and trust in the electoral system.
“In a parliamentary democracy like India, it is the foremost duty of the EC to create confidence and trust among people,” he said, adding that elections should be conducted in a manner that assures voters that they are free and fair.
Mallu alleged that a large number of names were being removed from electoral rolls during the SIR exercise to benefit the BJP and claimed that voters perceived to be aligned with particular political parties could be targeted.
He also supported demands for the use of ballot papers, saying doubts regarding the electoral process should be addressed by the Election Commission.
“People have been asking, prior to SIR, for ballot papers. When they have a benefit of doubt, it is the duty of the EC to say, ‘We will see that your benefit of doubt is clear, introduce ballot papers and conduct free and fair elections’,” he said.
Referring to an Indian Express report that flagged differences within the Election Commission over the SIR exercise, Mallu said the report had further affected public confidence in the poll panel.
He demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and also called for the resignation of the government, which he alleged was responsible for the situation.
“Gyanesh Kumar has to step down. The government, which is the main root cause of all of this, also has to step down,” Mallu said.
UNI DS
Tags: #Telangana Deputy CM urges former Congress leaders to return to party
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