Shabbir Ali accuses CM KCR of manipulating poll process in Kamareddy

• Congress leaders seek ECI’s intervention to stop GP resolutions favouring KCR
• KCR trying to rig polls to avoid inevitable humiliating defeat in Kamareddy: Shabbir

Kamareddy, September 1(Maxim News): Congress senior leader and TPCC Political Affairs Committee Convener Mohammed Ali Shabbir has accused Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao of attempting to manipulate the poll process in Kamareddy by forcing the Gram Panchayats to pass resolutions stating that the entire village would vote in favour of BRS.

Stating that the so-called “unanimous” resolutions were not only unethical, but illegal, Shabbir Ali sought the immediate intervention of the Election Commission of India to stop such resolutions by Gram Panchayats across Telangana, especially in Kamareddy constituency where CM KCR is contesting as BRS candidate.

Accompanied by TPCC Senior Vice President and Chairman Election Commission Coordination Committee G. Niranjan, former MP Suresh Kumar Shetkar and other leaders, Shabbir Ali submitted a complaint to Chief Electoral Officer Vikas Raj on Friday seeking action against the Kamareddy District Collector and all the Sarpanches and others who passed the resolutions in Rajkhanpet, Ellampet, Ankireddypally Tanda, Maisamma Chervu Thanda, VenukaThanda, Nadimi Thanda, Manthani Devunipally, Bodagutta Thanda and Arepally in Kamareddy constituency.

Speaking to media persons later, Shabbir Ali said that CM KCR was confident of a humiliating defeat in Kamareddy and therefore, he is misusing his powers to force the Gram Panchayats to pass resolutions in his favour. By doing so, CM KCR is trying to encroach upon the fundamental rights of citizens granted by the Constitution to vote in favour of any candidate of their choice through a secret ballot.

“The Gram Panchayat is a vital grassroots institution that plays a crucial role in local governance. However, it must operate within the bounds of the law and democratic norms. The Election Commission is the sole authority responsible for overseeing the conduct of elections and ensuring a level playing field for all candidates,” the Congress leader said in the letter.

Shabbir Ali pointed out that the “unanimous” resolutions of all villages were same and in pro forma format which clearly indicates it is an orchestrated effort of the political candidacy recently announced for Kamareddy Assembly Constituency by CM KCR. “The Sarpanches have used the letterhead and the official stationery including the official Rubber stamps of the Gram Panchayats to pass these resolutions illegally. The Sarpanches of the above referenced villages not only passed illegal resolutions but they gave wide publicity in the newspapers and other media outlets,” he alleged.

He also said that the District Collector of Kamareddy had not taken any action against these illegal actions even after the news items appearing widely in various media outlets. Seeking stringent action, he alleged that the District Collector of the Kamareddy was complacent in taking action against these illegal and unconstitutional resolutions which needs to be looked into.

The Congress leader said that the Election Commission of India should take strict action including directing the District collector to initiate proceedings to remove all erring Sarpanches and members, MPTC, ZPTCs and also all those MLAs and MLCs who are encouraging such illegal activities and they may be recommended to be disqualified for undermining and abusing their official positions. “It is essential that the Commission reiterates the importance of adhering to democratic principles and the rule of law in the run-up to elections and do not spare any intimidation or abuse of power to create an undue influence over voters,” he said.

Shabbir Ali said that the fair and transparent conduct of elections was the cornerstone of our democracy. It is crucial that every citizen’s right to choose their representatives is protected and that no individual or group misuses their position to influence the electoral process, he said.

Highlighting the importance of democratic processes, Shabbir referred to several legal provisions in his letter. The Representation of the People Act, 1951, explicitly prohibits any infringement on the secrecy of voting. Furthermore, guidelines from the Election Commission of India underscore that no individual or group can use their position to unduly influence the electoral process.

“No one can force a voter in India to vote in favor of a particular candidate or party. The right to vote is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution of India and CM KCR is trying to encroach upon these rights,” he said.

Shabbir Ali said that the ECI should take immediate and stern action to ensure free and fair polling in Telangana, especially in Kamareddy and Gajwel where CM KCR is contesting as a candidate. (Maxim News)

---

Next Story :

Now you can get the latest stories from Indtoday on Telegram every day. Click the link to subscribe.  Click to follow Indtoday’s Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram. For all the latest Hyderabad News updates