Congress Has Patent on Vote, Seat Theft: Bandi Sanjay

Karimnagar: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress over its allegations of “vote Chori”, claiming that the party itself had a history of manipulating political mandates.

Speaking to the media after a ‘Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Sabha’ organised as part of the BJP’s ‘Seva Jyothi’ programme in Karimnagar, he alleged that the Congress had “patent rights” over vote and seat theft.

Referring to the 1946 process to select the first Prime Minister, Bandi Sanjay claimed that several Pradesh Congress Committees had favoured Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, but Jawaharlal Nehru was ultimately made Prime Minister. He described this as the first instance of “vote and seat theft” by the Congress.

On the controversy surrounding the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, he said the poll panel was a constitutional body and not a “BJP pocket organisation”. If the CEC had committed any wrongdoing, the matter should be settled in court, he said, warning that attacks on constitutional institutions could weaken democracy.

Bandi Sanjay questioned the Congress’s opposition to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, saying the exercise was intended to retain eligible voters and remove ineligible names. He cited statements attributed to Congress leaders regarding bogus or duplicate votes in Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan and asked why the party objected when such names were being removed.

He also referred to the removal of former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao’s name from electoral rolls after his death and questioned whether such deletions were also being opposed.

Taking aim at the Congress and BRS in Telangana, Bandi Sanjay alleged that the Congress was using land-related controversies involving former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao as a political “drama”. He claimed the Congress lacked the resolve to act against alleged BRS corruption, while the BRS was unwilling to fight the Congress government over its six guarantees. He alleged that the two parties had an understanding behind the scenes.

Defending Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said Modi had no political dynasty or personal financial interests and considered the people his family. He urged young people not to be misled by political campaigns and to assess Modi’s record since 2014.

Bandi Sanjay said the BJP had given him several responsibilities and that he would accept whatever role the party assigned, continuing to work as a cadre.

Earlier, the BJP organised a ‘Seva Jyothi’ rally in Karimnagar to mark Modi’s 25 years in public service. Modi and BJP national president Nitin Nabin addressed workers virtually.

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Thirunagiri Venkateswara Swamy

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