BJP rejects allegations of voter deletions during SIR, defends EC process

BJP Telangana president N. Ramchander Rao on Sunday (October 4, 2026) dismissed allegations of wrongdoing in the continuing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, asserting that the exercise was being carried out entirely by the State government machinery, under the supervision of the Election Commission (EC).

Addressing a press conference at the party’s State office, Mr. Rao said decisions on deleting voters’ names were taken only after field-level verification by election officials. He stressed that merely filing Form 7, used to raise objections regarding entries in the electoral roll, did not automatically result in the deletion of a voter’s name.

“The Form 7 mechanism exists within the electoral framework to identify and remove fake or duplicate entries. Any objection is subjected to due inquiry before action is taken,” he said.

Mr. Rao also clarified that no BJP Booth Level Agents (BLAs) had submitted Form 7 applications seeking deletion of voters’ names. Criticising the controversy around the issue, he said creating a “commotion” over a matter that remained under inquiry was unwarranted.

Taking aim at the Congress, Mr. Rao alleged the party praised the electoral process when it won elections, but questioned the system whenever it lost. He also criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for reportedly describing elections in the country as a “farce” and seeking their cancellation.

“Questioning the people’s mandate is an insult not only to voters but also to Indian democracy,” he said.

Mr. Rao further alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and others were attempting to undermine public confidence in constitutional institutions, including the Election Commission, the President’s office and the Supreme Court.

Such efforts were aimed at weakening democratic institutions and eroding faith in the electoral process, he claimed. The BJP would continue to oppose any attempt to discredit democratic institutions, and remained committed to safeguarding democracy, Mr. Rao added.

Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson N.V. Subash urged AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi to pursue legal remedies if he possessed evidence of electoral irregularities. Responding to Mr. Owaisi’s allegation that BJP and Sangh Parivar workers were filing Form 7 applications to delete genuine voters’ names, Mr. Subash said any evidence of malpractice should be presented before the appropriate judicial forum.