Akhilesh questions EC over EVM row; asks to bring back ballot paper system

Akhilesh also criticised the current BJP government in the state.

Lucknow, April 15: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday demanded an answer from the Election Commission over the controversy on tampering of electronic voting machines as alleged by several political parties, including the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress.

The former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh during a press meet said the EC should answer on cases of EVM tampering. Akhilesh added that the EC should bring back ballot paper system to end the controversy.

On Friday, BSP chief Mayawati dragged the Bharatiya Janata Party into the ongoing debate over tampering of EVMs. The Dalit leader accused the ruling party of tampering EVMs during the recent Uttar Pradesh assembly elections 2017. "The BJP tampered EVMs in 250 seats out of 403. The tampering of the EVMs happened in constituencies where the BJP was very weak," Mayawati was quoted by ANI.

Akhilesh said that in future, the Samajwadi Party would play an active role in any anti-BJP alliance. He also criticised the ruling BJP government in the state saying that the saffron party does not consider him as a Hindu.

He added that the state government should explain on the alleged harassment meted on boys and men in the 'name' of anti-Romeo squad. The anti-Romeo squads were formed across Uttar Pradesh after CM Yogi Adityanath formed his government in the state.

While many have welcomed the move to end eve-teasing and stalking, others allege that 'innocent' boys and men have been harassed in the name of women safety.

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