Andhra BJP accuses Rahul Gandhi of misleading voters over electoral-roll revision

The Andhra Pradesh BJP has criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his opposition to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. BJP State spokesperson Jalli Madhusudhan said Gandhi was creating confusion among the public and demeaning the Election Commission of India, a constitutional institution. Speaking to the media in Tirupati, Madhusudhan said the Leader of the Opposition should act responsibly and offer constructive suggestions.

He said Gandhi’s recent criticism of the Election Commission did not suit his position. The BJP spokesperson said the revision followed proposals made by several political parties, including regional parties, to correct anomalies in voter lists. He questioned why Gandhi was opposing the exercise on what he described as flimsy grounds.

Madhusudhan said the exercise was intended to remove the names of dead or shifted voters, rather than cause arbitrary deletions. He accused the Congress of creating unnecessary alarm by suggesting that voters would be removed from the lists. He also alleged that Gandhi’s position raised questions about whether the Congress leader wanted rights available to Indian citizens to be extended to illegal immigrants.

The source material does not include a response from Gandhi or the Congress to these accusations. Madhusudhan said the BJP would continue supporting policies initiated by constitutional bodies such as the Election Commission. He added that the party would explain to the public what it considered the benefits of implementing the revision.