look news india
Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee on Monday challenged those questioning the reliability of electronic voting machines (EVMs). He said those who allege EVM tampering should present evidence of any discrepancy before the Election Commission. His comment came after the statement of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in which Omar had rejected Congress’s objections on EVMs and said that the party raises questions on EVMs only when it loses the elections.
‘There is no solid basis in the allegations regarding EVM’
Abhishek Banerjee said that after strict monitoring of booth workers and others at various stages of the election process, there is no concrete evidence of EVM tampering. He said:
“I have been a part of the electoral process at the grassroots level for a long time. If EVM randomization is done properly and booth workers check the EVMs during the mock poll, the chances of manipulation are reduced. Additionally, Form 17C is reviewed during counting of votes, virtually eliminating the possibility of any irregularities.”
‘Give evidence instead of making allegations’
Banerjee said that if anyone feels that EVM manipulation is possible, then they should go before the Election Commission and present proof or demo of it. He said:
“If anyone has any malware or technical know-how to hack EVMs, they should prove it before the Election Commission. There is no solution just by making statements.”
‘Don’t underestimate the importance of regional parties’
When asked about the discussion on leadership in the opposition alliance ‘India Bloc’, Abhishek Banerjee said that this issue will be decided after detailed discussion. He said:
“Mamata Banerjee is one of the most senior leaders. She is the Chief Minister of West Bengal for the third time and has also been a Union Minister before this. All parties should discuss this issue together. No regional party should be underestimated.”
He stressed that TMC is the only party which has defeated both BJP and Congress in the elections, which shows its strength.
Mamta Banerjee got support from Sharad Pawar and Lalu Yadav
Recently, Mamata Banerjee had said that along with being the Chief Minister of West Bengal, she can also handle the responsibility of the opposition front. After his statement, senior leaders like NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav supported him.
This statement comes after the recent election setbacks of Congress in Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and Maharashtra, which has increased the uneasiness regarding leadership in the India block.
