TRS to BRS: Delhi HC closes Revanth Reddy petition against ECI approval

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Monday heard a petition filed by Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President Revanth Reddy, challenging the approval given by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the change of name of the erstwhile Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) as Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).

Revanth Reddy, in the past, has petitioned the ECI over the alleged mobilisation of funds by the TRS in the name of 'Bangaru Koolie'. Responding to this, the Election Commission has written to the Income Tax department asking it to conduct an inquiry into the matter. Revanth Reddy later approached the Delhi High Court with a petition, alleging that the ECI gave its approval to the change of TRS name into BRS even before the completion of the inquiry into the alleged mobilisation of funds by the TRS.

The Delhi High Court, while closing the matter on Monday, gave Revanth Reddy the liberty to file a fresh petition in this regard. It ruled that specific petitions could be filed against those departments that the petitioner had objections to.

The Election Commission of India, while giving its consent to the re-christening of the TRS as BRS, set December 6 as the deadline for filing complaints if anyone had objections to the change of name of the party. Subsequently, Revanth Reddy reportedly petitioned the ECI with his objections.

However, alleging that the ECI, without taking cognizance of his complaint, has granted its approval to the BRS, he approached the Delhi High Court with a petition.