Ananth Kumar dubs EVM tampering allegations as 'far from truth'

Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday questioned the Election Commission's insistence on the use of EVMs. Kejriwal has been insisting that the commission come clear on the EVM tampering issue.

New Delhi, Apr 6: Allegations on tampering of Electronic Voting Machines are 'far from truth' and the opposition is trying to discredit the victory of the BJP in the recent polls, Union Minister Ananth Kumar said on Thursday.

Raising the issue of alleged tampering of EVMs during the Zero Hour, CPI-M leader P Karunakaran demanded an in-depth and independent inquiry into the matter.

Mentioning reports about an EVM being tampered with in Madhya Pradesh, he also suggested that there could be an alternative mechanism to the machines.

Responding to the allegations, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said, "It is totally far from truth and misleading. Opposition parties have been raising the issue of alleged tampering of EVMs. If there is anything today, then EVM is the best," Kumar said and took a swipe at the Opposition saying they wanted to discredit the election victories of BJP and raising the "bogey".

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday questioned the Election Commission's insistence on the use of EVMs when the whole country wanted paper ballots to be used in elections.

His reaction came after reports that Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh also raised concern about manipulation of Electronic Voting Machines.

Kejriwal has been insisting that the commission come clear on the EVM tampering issue and on Monday had demanded that the upcoming civic polls in Delhi be postponed, if need be, to use paper ballots.

The Election Commission has, however, termed Kejriwal's allegations of tampering of EVMs as 'baseless'.

PTI