Telangana CM Revanth Reddy Launches 'Vote Bachao' Campaign in Delhi

Comparing the current electoral climate to the colonial-era struggle for independence, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has launched the 'Vote Bachao Desh Bachao' campaign. He alleges that the central government and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar are systematically disenfranchising voters through manipulated electoral roll revisions.

Editorial·October 12, 2026·reads: 452

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy Launches 'Vote Bachao' Campaign in Delhi

Addressing supporters at Telangana Bhavan, Reddy characterized the ongoing effort to protect voting rights as a modern freedom movement. He specifically targeted the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, claiming it is being weaponized by the Modi-Amit Shah administration to strike eligible voters—particularly Dalits, tribals, and youth—from the rolls to favor the BJP. According to the Chief Minister, while previous governments utilized the SIR to include missing eligible voters, the current process is designed to shrink the electorate.

Reddy highlighted a statistical discrepancy, noting that while India’s population has grown significantly since 2014, he claims 13 crore votes have been deleted, with fears that the figure could reach 20 crore. He criticized the 2023 legislative changes to the Election Commission appointment process, which replaced the Chief Justice of India with the Union Home Minister, arguing this shift undermines the impartiality of the institution. Calling for a 'Gyanesh Go Back' movement, the Chief Minister urged the President and the Supreme Court to intervene, warning that the erosion of the Election Commission's credibility threatens the foundation of India's democratic system.