A serious case of election fraud by TRS MLA Tadikonda Rajaiah has been brought to the fore by National SC Reservation Parirakshana Samiti (NSCRPS). It has been learned that he has misused SC (Schedule Caste) reservation benefits for political gains.
NSCRPS has filed a written complaint with the Jangaon District Collector against Telangana Rashtriya Samithi (TRS) Rajaiah who has been elected from Station Ghanpur (SC Reserved) Assembly Constituency.
As per the complaint, Rajaiah in spite of being a practicing Christian contested the assembly election from a constituency reserved for Scheduled Castes. In 2018, he obtained an SC Caste certificate and subsequently filed his nomination from the reserved constituency.
He himself admitted to being a practicing Christian while delivering a local body election campaign speech at Huzurnagar in 2019. In fact, he has attended several Christian religious campaigns besides openly delivering speeches professing Christianity.
The 1950 Presidential Order on Schedule Castes states that any person belonging to the SC community will no longer be eligible for SC benefits once he/she converts to Islam or Christianity. Rajaiah has willfully violated the Presidential Order and is liable for punishment.
NSCRPS has sought action against Rajaiah stating that not only is he not legally and ethically entitled to contest from an SC Reserved constituency but has also cheated government officials by hiding the fact that he is a Christian.
The complaint seeks cancellation of Tadikonda Rajaiah’s SC Caste Certificate along with departmental action against those revenue officials who issued the said certificate without undertaking proper and thorough verifications.
Furthermore, a plea has also been made to direct police officials to register an FIR (First Information Report) against Rajaiah for cheating government officials by not disclosing his actual religion and obtaining political benefits meant for the SC community despite being a Christian.
This is a serious case of election fraud and the Election Commission (EC) must take note of such violations in addition to initiating action. Also, rules must be put in place to ensure that politicians do not use their influence to take undue advantage of benefits provided to marginalized communities.
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