
AB News Desk, New Delhi, December 1, 2024: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified its criticism of the Congress for questioning the reliability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the electoral process. On Saturday, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia urged Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several Congress Chief Ministers, to resign from their positions if they truly believe EVMs are flawed and lack transparency.
Bhatia argued that continuing to hold office while questioning the legitimacy of EVMs highlights a contradiction in the Congress’s stance.
“You (Congress) want elections on ballot papers. First of all, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Revanth Reddy and Siddaramaiah should resign. They should say they were elected through EVMs, which they allege are full of scandals and that they will not participate in elections until ballot papers are introduced,” Bhatia stated.
The BJP’s Defense of EVMs
The BJP spokesperson pointed to the Supreme Court’s repeated endorsement of the transparency and reliability of EVMs. He also highlighted the role of the voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) system, which has consistently validated the accuracy of EVM results.
In a sharp rebuttal, Bhatia highlighted the irony of Congress’s criticism, noting that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took oath as a Lok Sabha member on the same day the party raised questions about EVMs. Priyanka’s victory in the Wayanad by-election, with a margin of over 4 lakh votes, was cited as evidence of the robustness of the electoral process.
Other Key Issues Raised by the BJP
During the same briefing, the BJP addressed other significant issues, including minority rights and law and order in Uttar Pradesh:
- On Minority Rights: Bhatia reiterated India’s role as a global advocate for minority rights and emphasized the nation’s responsibility to speak out against the persecution of minorities worldwide.
- On Sambhal Violence: He accused the Samajwadi Party (SP) of shielding rioters in Uttar Pradesh and fostering unrest. He further alleged that frequent riots during SP rule indicate a lack of faith in law enforcement.
Political Implications of the EVM Debate
The BJP’s firm challenge places the Congress in a precarious position. Critics view the Congress’s renewed focus on EVMs as a strategic attempt to cast doubt on the electoral process ahead of upcoming elections. However, the BJP’s demand for resignations pressures the Congress to align its rhetoric with actions or face accusations of inconsistency.