Revanth questions voter decline despite population growth, calls for intensifying agitation against CEC

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday questioned the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the decline in voter numbers despite population growth and accused the BJP of using the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to delete eligible voters opposed to the party. He called for intensifying the agitation led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Addressing a protest organised by the INDIA bloc in Delhi, Mr. Revanth Reddy alleged that the BJP was using the ECI as a tool to retain power, just as it had allegedly used the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Income Tax Department.

Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Mr. Gyanesh Kumar of conspiring to delete eligible voters under the pretext of SIR, he alleged that the exercise was targeting the BJP’s political opponents, particularly Dalits, Adivasis, young people, the unemployed and the poor.

Referring to the elections in Bihar and West Bengal, he alleged that the BJP was winning in States where SIR had been conducted. He questioned why no action was being taken against Mr. Kumar despite alleged irregularities in the revision process.

“While the population is increasing, the number of voters should also increase. Why, then, is the number of voters declining?” he asked. Claiming that 13 crore votes had been deleted in 2026, he cited voter numbers of 81 crore in 2014, 91 crore in 2019 and 97 crore in 2024. He warned that the number of deletions could reach 20 crore.

He questioned why the President and the Chief Justice of India were not raising the issue with the Prime Minister. Referring to the process of appointing the CEC, he also criticised the exclusion of the Chief Justice of India from the selection committee.

Mr. Revanth Reddy further alleged that artificial intelligence was being used to identify and delete votes of BJP opponents, including young people who criticised the Prime Minister on social media. He warned that the loss of voting rights could also deprive people of access to government welfare schemes.

Calling for wider participation in the agitation, he said the campaign launched by Mr. Gandhi under the slogan ‘Gyanesh Kumar Go Back’ would help protect the country.

He alleged that the other two Election Commissioners had raised objections to errors in the SIR exercise, while Mr. Kumar was taking unilateral decisions. He questioned why Mr. Modi was reluctant to act against the CEC.