Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday lashed out at Congress on its duplicity with regard to Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Modi said that Congress’ stand on EVMs has been conditional and not absolute, depending upon the result of the elections.
PM Narendra Modi hits out at Congress over double standards practised by party with regard to EVMs
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/xfgj8t0wek pic.twitter.com/iwLvDseCrg
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) December 19, 2018
Addressing booth level workers from Puducherry and Tamil Nadu via video-conferencing, PM Modi slammed Congress for its double-talk on the functioning of the EVMs. He alleged that Congress’ behaviour with respect to EVMs depends upon their performance in the elections. “Before the elections, Congress clamours about the functioning of the EVMs, raising suspicions about its working, but if they performed well in the elections, there is no talk about it,” he said.
He further added that Congress’ undemocratic behaviour can only be countered by strengthening the democracy in the country. Modi exhorted the BJP workers to create awareness among the public about Congress’ dangerous games.
Modi further alleged that Congress has been disrespectful towards and humiliated various institutions like the Judiciary, the Indian Armed Forces and the CAG because these institutions refused to toe the Congress’ line. “Recently, they doubted the apex court’s judgment because it was unfavourable for them. They had, in the past, threatened to impeach the Chief Justice of India(CJI),” Modi said.
It is worth mentioning that there have been no complaints regarding the functioning of the EVMs post assembly election results of the three states. In the run-up to the elections, Congress had alleged mismanagement in the handling of EVMs. However, after the Congress victory in 3 states, there has been a conspicuous silence on the allegations previously raised by them. But in Telangana, where the Congress lost the elections badly, the party had made allegations of EVM tampering after the results were out. Before the elections, Congress had even filed petitions in Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh High Courts against EVM, which were rejected by the courts.
Congress has often resorted to ‘faulty EVM machines’ justification to defend its ignominious lopsided electoral routs in several states. A full-fledged campaign was run by Congress to discredit EVMs and expose its perceived loopholes. In April 2017, the Supreme Court snubbed Congress, claiming that there is no merit in its allegations of EVM-malfunction or tampering. In August 2018, Congress had even demanded the Election Commission to switch back to the paper ballot system.
