Bandi Sanjay terms SIR of electoral rolls as ‘legitimate exercise’, flays Congress

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, asserting that removing the names of ‘illegal infiltrators’ from electoral rolls is a legitimate exercise to protect the integrity of the democratic process.

Addressing a gathering during a ‘Chai Pe Charcha’ programme in Manakondur of Karimnagar district on Tuesday, Mr. Sanjay said, “No authority has the right to remove the names of genuine Indian citizens from electoral rolls.”

He questioned the opposition to removing illegal foreign infiltrators from electoral rolls, asking, “What is wrong with deleting the votes of illegal immigrants?”

Mr. Sanjay accused the Congress of attempting to create divisions among communities for political gain.

“The Congress should clarify its position on whether the names of illegal infiltrators from countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh remain on voter lists,” he said.

The Union Minister dismissed allegations by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy that Union Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy was obstructing the Metro Rail Phase-II Project, describing the claims as baseless.

He reiterated that the Narendra Modi-led Central government remains fully committed to Telangana’s development. The State continues to receive major projects and substantial Central funding, he said, adding, “The Centre has released thousands of crores of rupees for development initiatives in Hyderabad, Warangal and Khammam Municipal Corporations and various other civic bodies.”

Referring to the recent reported comments by the Telangana Rakshana Sena (TRS) president K. Kavitha, Mr. Sanjay said, “The presence of leaders with Maoist leanings within the BRS is a matter of concern. Extremist ideologies pose a threat to social harmony and democratic values.”

He added that even many Maoist leaders have abandoned the ideology and joined the democratic mainstream.