Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party, accusing it of adopting what he termed the 'Kim Jong Un model' to orchestrate 'seat chori' (seat theft) in the Rajya Sabha elections. The chief minister dubbed the top BJP leadership and the returning officer in Madhya Pradesh as 'conspirators' for cancelling the nomination papers of Congress candidate Meenakshi Natarajan in the state.
Allegations of conspiracy
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Reddy alleged that the BJP was using undemocratic methods to manipulate the Rajya Sabha polls. He compared the party's tactics to the authoritarian style of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, suggesting that the BJP was suppressing opposition through unfair means.
"The way the BJP is functioning, it seems they have adopted the Kim Jong Un model. They are indulging in 'seat chori' in Rajya Sabha polls," Reddy said. He specifically pointed to the rejection of Natarajan's nomination papers in Madhya Pradesh, calling it a pre-planned conspiracy by the ruling party.
Congress candidate's nomination cancelled
Meenakshi Natarajan, a senior Congress leader, had filed her nomination for the Rajya Sabha elections from Madhya Pradesh. However, the returning officer rejected her papers on technical grounds, a move that the Congress party has strongly contested. The party has accused the BJP of using its influence to ensure that Natarajan's candidature was invalidated.
Revanth Reddy, who is also a senior Congress leader, expressed solidarity with Natarajan and demanded a thorough investigation into the matter. He called on the Election Commission to take suo motu cognizance of the issue and ensure free and fair elections.
BJP's response
The BJP has dismissed Reddy's allegations as baseless. Party spokespersons argued that the rejection of Natarajan's nomination was purely a legal decision based on discrepancies in her paperwork. They accused the Congress of trying to divert attention from its internal problems.
However, Reddy remained unyielding in his criticism, stating that the BJP's actions were a clear violation of democratic principles. "This is not just about one candidate; it is about the integrity of our electoral system. The BJP is trying to subvert democracy," he added.
The controversy has added fuel to the ongoing political tensions between the Congress and BJP ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections. The Congress has announced plans to challenge the rejection in court and has called for a protest across the state.
