In a sweeping clean-up drive aimed at streamlining India’s electoral system, the Election Commission of India (ECI), on Saturday, delisted 334 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) for failing to meet mandatory criteria, including contesting at least one election in the past six years and maintaining a verifiable functional office at their registered address.

From the Telugu States, a total of 18 parties have been removed from the rolls. In Andhra Pradesh, the list includes Bharateeya Bahujana Praja Rajyam from Guntur, Hindustan Rashtreeya Party and Jai Bharath Jena Sena Party from Vijayawada in Krishna District, Telugu Bahujana Party from Gudur in SPSR Nellore District, and Telugu Rashtra Shakti Party from Gannavaram in Krishna District. Telangana saw a larger number of removals, with the Andhra Pradesh Rashtra Samaikya Samithi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party (Ambedkar-Phule), Indian Minorities Political Party, Jatiya Mahila Party, National People’s Congress, Telangana Minorities OBC Rajyam, Yuva Party, Telangana Swarajya Party and Yuva Telangana Party – all based in Hyderabad – being struck off. Also delisted were Jago Party and Telangana Loksatta Party from Secunderabad, Telangana Karmika Raithu Rajyam Party from Warangal, Telangana Praja Samithi (Kishore, Rao and Kishan) from Warangal and Telangana Students Union For Nation Party from Ranga Reddy district. 

According to the ECI’s statement, “After considering all facts and recommendations of CEOs, the Commission has delisted 334 RUPPs. Now, out of 2,854 RUPPs, 2,520 remain.” The parties removed will no longer be eligible for benefits under Sections 29B and 29C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, read with the relevant provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961, nor under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. Any aggrieved party may appeal within 30 days.

This action follows a June 2025 directive when the ECI instructed Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) across States and UTs to verify compliance. The CEOs reported that 334 of 345 parties under scrutiny had failed to meet the criteria. Each was issued a show-cause notice and given an opportunity for a hearing before the final order.