"Show How EVMs Can Be Hacked?" Trinamool Congress Hits Out At INDIA Bloc Partner Congress

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew and Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee has dismissed allegations against Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). He urged those questioning EVMs to demonstrate their claims to the Election Commission. "If work is done properly at the time of EVM randomisation and people properly work at the booths during mock polls and counting, I don't think there is any substance in this allegation," he stated.

Union Minister Satish Chandra Dubey commented on Banerjee's stance, noting that he has realised the truth, albeit late. He pointed out that recent elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand saw no EVM-related complaints. "An alliance cannot sustain itself for long based on a lie," Dubey remarked, suggesting Banerjee now understands this reality.

Opposition's Mixed Reactions

The Congress party and its allies have raised concerns about EVMs following Haryana and Maharashtra election results. However, some allies have dismissed these claims. Omar Abdullah of the National Conference emphasised consistency in questioning voting methods. "When you get a hundred plus members of Parliament using the same EVMs... you can't then a few months later turn around and say... we don't like these EVMs," Abdullah said.

Abdullah shared his own experience of losing in Lok Sabha elections but winning Assembly polls later. He stressed that voters' choices vary and machines shouldn't be blamed. "One day voters choose you, the next day they don't," he added, highlighting the need for consistent criticism if there are genuine concerns with EVMs.

Internal Dynamics within INDIA Alliance

Congress MP B Manickam Tagore questioned Abdullah's approach towards Congress partners after becoming Chief Minister. He pointed out that parties like Samajwadi Party, NCP, and Shiv Sena UBT have voiced concerns about EVMs. Tagore urged Abdullah to verify facts before criticising Congress's stance.

The backdrop of Banerjee's comments includes leadership dynamics within the INDIA alliance. Mamata Banerjee expressed willingness to lead the Opposition bloc if given a chance. Following her statement, leaders like Sharad Pawar and Lalu Prasad Yadav supported her candidacy for leadership.

The BJP countered Congress's allegations by citing Jharkhand poll results where no EVM issues were raised despite an INDIA alliance victory. They argued that opposition parties only question EVMs when they lose elections, suggesting inconsistency in their stance.