New Delhi, May 21: With the controversy involving the electronic voting machines (EVMs) gaining pace, Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) supremo lashed out at the Opposition, accusing it of flogging a dead horse in a bid to justify its rout. The veteran politician said EVM has brought "transparency" to the polling process, and all questions raised against it are baseless.
Nitish's tirade against the Opposition for raising the EVM bogie comes amid a meeting called by nearly 21 parties of anti-BJP bloc. A delegation of members from these outfits would be meeting the Election Commission to press for VVPAT countings in accordance to the Supreme Court directive. Opposition Fears EVM Tampering in North India; SP, BSP, RJD and Congress Ask Cadres to Guard Strongrooms Till Counting of Votes
The Opposition parties would also bring to the EC's light incidents of alleged unescorted movements of EVM to and from strongrooms. The Commission has already taken cognizance of four of these incidents - reported in UP's Jhansi, Chandauli, Ghazipur and Domariyaganj - and has ruled out any foul play.
"Questions on EVM is bogus. After introduction of EVMs, elections have become transparent. It's a technology which has been questioned multiple times and have been answered by EC...Faction which begins losing says there were discrepancies in elections. It's not new," said Nitish, calling EVM row a topic of losers.
The JD(U), an ally of the BJP-led NDA, contested on 17 seats of Bihar in this general elections. The party is predicted to fare strongly, as per the exit polls. The coalition is expected to win nearly 35 out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state.
The accuracy of exit polls will be known on May 23, when the Election Commission of India is scheduled to declare the results of Lok Sabha polls 2019.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 21, 2019 03:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).