YS Sharmila Accuses BJP of Voter List Manipulation, Demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Removal

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president YS Sharmila has levelled serious allegations against the BJP-led Union government over the revision of electoral rolls. Speaking to the media in Vijayawada, she claimed that Forms 6 and 7 were being misused to manipulate voter lists and alleged that eligible voters, including people from marginalised communities, were being removed. She cited claims of large-scale voter deletions across the country and questioned how democracy could function if citizens were denied their voting rights. Sharmila also objected to being placed under house arrest ahead of a proposed peaceful march to Raj Bhavan, arguing that peaceful protest is a constitutional right. She said her party intended to demonstrate without weapons or violence and described the vote as a powerful democratic right.

Sharmila further questioned the independence of the Election Commission of India and criticised the process through which Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was appointed. Referring to changes in the law governing the selection committee, she alleged that the process favoured the ruling party and raised concerns about the commission’s impartiality. She also referred to allegations of voter-list manipulation in Karnataka raised by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Sharmila demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s removal and said the protest movement would continue until action was taken. These claims reflect the Congress leader’s position; the allegations of voter deletion and institutional interference require verification through official records and responses from the authorities concerned.