The letter cites media reports and television broadcasts in which Rama Rao allegedly warned corporators of disciplinary action if they voted in the election.
Published Apr 23, 2025 | 12:45 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 23, 2025 | 12:45 PM
BRS catches flak for asking GHMC Corporators to abstain from voting in MLC elections
Synopsis: The Forum for Good Governance called on the Election Commission of India to investigate and take immediate action against the BRS over statements made by the party’s Working President KT Rama Rao on 19 April, publicly urging party corporators to refrain from participating in the 23 April MLC polls.
The Forum for Good Governance (FGG) has called on the Election Commission of India (ECI) to investigate and take immediate action against the BRS in Telangana for allegedly instructing its corporators to abstain from voting in the upcoming MLC elections from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) constituency.
In a letter dated April 22, addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner, FGG President M Padmanabha Reddy expressed serious concern over statements made by BRS Working President KT Rama Rao on 19 April, publicly urging party corporators to refrain from participating in the 23 April MLC polls.
“For the local body elections of Hyderabad to be held on 23rd of April, the main opposition party is refraining its corporators from participating and voting in elections,” the letter reads. “Directing the party corporators not to go for voting violates the Right to Vote.”
The letter cites media reports and television broadcasts in which Rama Rao allegedly warned corporators of disciplinary action if they voted in the election.
According to FGG, this directive violates key provisions of Indian election law, including Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, which deals with corrupt electoral practices, and Section 169 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which safeguards a citizen’s right to vote.
FGG emphasised that the Election Commission of India has been making extensive efforts to increase voter turnout and civic participation, and that civil society organisations in Telangana are actively engaged in election awareness campaigns under initiatives like “Election Watch.”
The letter also notes that the Supreme Court of India has consistently underscored the importance of voter participation and has supported reforms like NOTA (None of the Above) to enhance electoral transparency and engagement.
“Citizens of Hyderabad have elected their Corporators, MLAs, and MPs by exercising their adult franchise. When it comes to electing an MLC by corporators of GHMC, BRS party is directing its corporators not to participate in elections,” the letter states, calling such behaviour a direct violation of democratic principles.
FGG urged the Election Commission to act decisively to uphold electoral integrity and ensure that all elected representatives can exercise their constitutional rights without fear or coercion.
“I am requesting our GHMC Corporators who have the right to vote in the MLC elections. We are not going to vote for anybody. No MIM, no BJP, we don’t need either,” Rama Rao said at a party meet on 19 April.
“We don’t have the numbers, and we didn’t put a candidate either. I’m requesting that we completely boycott the Legislative Council elections. We will not even step into the election,” he requested the Corporators.
“They (MIM and BJP) are both the same; we require neither,” he reiterated, asking Srinivas Goud to issue a whip to the same effect. “If anyone violates the whip, they will face disciplinary action,” he further warned.
On 23 April, the BRS confirmed that they were steadfast in their decision. It informed the media that the party would not participate in the MLC elections and reported that a whip was issued to the same effect.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
