CM Revanth Reddy Calls for Protection of Eligible Voters’ Rights in SIR

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has stressed that the rights of every eligible voter must be protected during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, asserting that the right to vote is a fundamental pillar of democracy. He said people must have the freedom to decide who governs them and called for complete transparency in the electoral roll revision process.

Addressing The Conclave 2026, organised by Assam-based Pratidin media network in New Delhi, Revanth Reddy participated in a discussion on “India’s Next Chapter” and spoke on several issues, including electoral reforms, delimitation, education, skill development and Telangana’s infrastructure plans.

The Chief Minister questioned how the number of voters could decline when the country’s overall population continues to grow. He said the procedures governing the deletion of names from electoral rolls and verification of voter eligibility should be transparent and understandable to ordinary citizens.

He stressed that the revision process should not create uncertainty among eligible voters and that adequate safeguards were necessary to ensure that genuine voters do not lose their voting rights.

Revanth Reddy said every state should receive equal opportunities for development, with the Centre encouraging states to make better use of their local resources and human capital. He said Telangana could accelerate its growth further if adequate central support was extended to major infrastructure projects.

He specifically referred to the Hyderabad Metro expansion, Regional Ring Road and national highways, among projects that require attention and support from the Centre.

The Chief Minister also voiced concerns over the possible impact of delimitation on the political representation of southern states. He said states that had successfully implemented population-control measures should not be placed at a disadvantage when parliamentary constituencies are reorganised.

Referring to the 1976 decision to freeze the allocation of constituencies, he said numerical representation remains important in national politics. A reduction in the representation of southern states, he argued, could affect their ability to articulate their interests during national policy-making.

Revanth Reddy said Telangana’s development strategy rests on education, skills, investment and infrastructure. The government, he said, is working to equip young people with both academic knowledge and practical skills.

He highlighted reforms involving English-medium education and nursery-level schooling in government institutions and said regional languages and English should both receive attention. He also emphasised communication skills and said skill development should receive greater focus after Class 12 to prepare students for future opportunities.