BJP president Amit Shah on Thursday accused the Opposition parties of “disrespecting” people’s mandate by questioning the credibility of EVMs and “tarnishing” Indian democracy in the face of its “likely defeat” in the Lok Sabha elections.
Suspecting Opposition’s motives in raising doubts about EVMs, Shah said they started protesting against EVMs only after the sixth phase of polling and intensified it after exit polls, which have predicted a comfortable victory for the BJP-led NDA. “How can you question EVMs credibility on the basis of exit polls,” he asked in his tweet.
He also termed as unconstitutional the demand of 22 Opposition parties that the Election Commission change its counting protocol and count VVPAT slips first, saying any decision in this regard is not possible without an all-party consensus.
Referring to the statements of some Opposition leaders like Upendra Kushwaha that people can take up arms and resort to violence, he said such comments have no place in democracy and questioned them for challenging democracy.
The Opposition in Bihar on Tuesday had alleged that attempts were being made to manipulate the Lok Sabha poll results in favour of the NDA, and warned that “blood may spill on the streets”.
Opposition to EVMs amounts to disrespecting people’s mandate, Shah said.
“Rattled by their probable defeat, these 22 parties are tarnishing the country and its democracy in the world by raising questions on the democratic process. Their demands have no rationale and are driven by selfish interests,” Shah said, adding that he wanted to ask them some questions.
Most of these Opposition parties, such as the Congress, SP, BSP, Trinamool Congress, NCP, AAP, Telugu Desam Party, Left and RJD among others, have won elections held through EVMs at some point of time, he said.
“Should it be presumed that when the Opposition wins, then it emerges victorious in elections but when it loses it does so due to EVMs? If they do not trust EVMs, then why did they form Government?,” Shah asked.
He said the Supreme Court has given final shape to electoral process by hearing three PILs and asked if the Opposition is raising questions on the apex court.
The Election Commission had earlier thrown an open challenge to anyone to show that EVMs can be tampered with but no Opposition party took it up, he said.
While speaking in the dinner meet held for NDA, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Wednesday expressed concern over Opposition parties doubts on EVM and polling results. NDA also charged Opposition of attacking country’s institutions including judiciary and EC.
