During the Constitution Day program in New Delhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called for the replacement of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with ballot papers. His statement follows a series of concerns raised by Congress regarding the recent assembly election results in Maharashtra, where the party alleged that EVMs were compromised, influencing the electoral outcome.
Key Points:
- Kharge’s Call for Ballot Papers: Kharge expressed distrust in the integrity of EVMs, demanding a return to traditional ballot papers for elections. This aligns with earlier statements from Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera, who suggested that EVMs may be manipulated, especially in a country where sensitive information, such as exam papers, is frequently leaked.
- Concerns About EVMs: Kharge has previously pointed to Elon Musk’s comments, claiming that no major Western country uses EVMs, casting doubt on their reliability. Congress has also complained about issues with EVMs during elections, particularly in Haryana and Maharashtra, where they alleged that battery problems and malfunctioning machines affected the election results.
- Blaming EVMs for Maharashtra Results: Congress attributed its defeat in the Maharashtra assembly elections to possible issues with the EVMs. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance won decisively, securing 230 out of 288 seats, while Congress-managed only 16 seats. The party contended that the outcome was the result of an unfair process.
- Kharge Criticizes BJP: Kharge further criticized the BJP for its “divisive” policies and alleged that it was trying to undermine the Constitution while paying lip service to it. He also reiterated his support for Rahul Gandhi’s call for a nationwide caste census, asserting that PM Modi fears such a census.
- Minority Government Allegation: Kharge took a swipe at the BJP government, labeling it as a minority government due to its reliance on coalition partners like TDP’s Chandrababu Naidu and Bihar’s Nitish Kumar for support. He suggested that if the alliance partners withdrew their support, the government would collapse.
Conclusion:
Kharge’s remarks reflect ongoing tensions between Congress and the BJP, with Congress questioning the credibility of the electoral process and criticizing the BJP’s leadership. The call for a return to ballot papers over EVMs adds a new dimension to the party’s objections, while also tying it to broader concerns about the BJP’s divisive tactics and democratic principles.
