Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a firm stand against the opposition bloc, INDIA, in the wake of the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the plea for 100 per cent VVPAT verification of EVM votes. He accused every leader of the opposition of “committing the sin” of sowing seeds of doubt about the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) in the minds of the public, leading to their “shattered dreams.”
Speaking at an election rally in Araria, Bihar, PM Modi criticized the RJD and Congress alliance in Bihar for their alleged disregard for the Indian constitution and democracy. He stated, “They did not let people exercise their right to vote for decades. Booth capturing was very common… They did not even let the people step out to vote.”
PM Modi expressed his support for the EVM system, stating that it empowers the poor and honest voters. He also praised the Supreme Court’s verdict, which affirmed that the old system of ballot paper voting will not be reinstated.
The Prime Minister urged the opposition parties to apologize to the public for casting doubts on the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). He said, “Today, the whole world praises India for its democracy, for its election process, and its use of technology in the election process and these people for their own self-interest were defaming the EVMs. These people have continuously tried to betray democracy.”
PM Modi singled out the RJD and INDIA bloc parties, accusing them of depriving the poor of their rights for decades under the guise of ballot paper. He said, “Polling booths were looted, paper ballots were looted. Today when voters have been empowered, those who indulged in loot on election day, tried to snatch, they are also uneasy, they have one task day and night that EVM should not be there.”
The Prime Minister’s remarks have reignited the debate over the use of EVMs in the Indian electoral process, drawing attention from various stakeholders in the political arena.
