Those questioning EVMs should prove their claims: Trinamool MP

Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee speaks to the media outside Parliament on December 16, 2024 in New Delhi. Photo Credit: ANI

Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee on Monday (Dec 16, 2024) dismissed concerns about tampering with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), on the heels of similar comments by National Conference leader and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, increasing the Congress’s isolation within India. Block

After the recent assembly elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Haryana, the Congress raised questions about the functioning of EVMs. The Congress Working Committee passed a resolution on November 29 saying that the integrity of the entire electoral process was being “seriously compromised” and announced a “national” agitation to raise public interest in the matter.

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Without naming the Congress, Mr. Banerjee, speaking to reporters outside Parliament, said, “It is my personal opinion that those raising questions about EVMs should demonstrate its anomaly before the Election Commission…. I don’t think there is any substance in these allegations.” At the same time, he added that if “someone” believes that EVMs can be tampered with, evidence should be submitted to support such claims. He also said that if they (Congress) feel this matter seriously, they should proceed with only one or two statements. “They (Congress) should start a movement,” Mr. Banerjee said.

Neka’s stance

On Sunday, Mr. Abdullah asked the Congress to be more consistent with its claim on EVMs. He said, ‘Problems cannot arise in EVMs only after losing the election. “They are the same EVMs when you get more than 100 MPs, and celebrate it as a victory for your party. You can’t go back a few months later and say ‘I don’t like it now’ because the election results were different.

Mr. Banerjee’s remarks should also be seen in the context of a growing chorus in favor of Trinamool president Mamata Banerjee leading the Bharat bloc, accusing the Congress of being weak. ‘No party should be considered small. Trinamool is the only party in India alliance which has defeated BJP and Congress. This shows its strength. Weakening regional parties is wrong. This is a mistake that both the Congress and the BJP make,” Mr. Banerjee said.