Congress has performed well in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. The grand old party is all set to return after fifteen years of exile from power. In Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, there is a close contest going on between the Congress and the BJP. What is noteworthy however is that in these states the Congress has not raised any objection whatsoever over the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). However, in Telangana, where the Congress performed badly, the party has submitted a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer, Rajat Kumar, requesting counting of VVPAT papers in all the assembly segments of the state. Telangana Congress raised suspicions that EVMs have been manipulated in the state.
Hyderabad: Congress delegation submits a complaint to Telangana Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Rajat Kumar raising suspicions that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have been manipulated in the state. #AssemblyElections2018 pic.twitter.com/XTCL0Dcmnb
— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018
The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee’s Uttam Kumar Reddy on Telangana Assembly Election results said, “I am having doubts on results we’re getting in Telangana ballot paper counting. We’re doubting that tampering could have been done in EVMs. Slips should be counted in VVPATs.”
Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee's Uttam Kumar Reddy on #AssemblyElection2018 results: I am having doubts on results we're getting in Telangana ballot paper counting. We're doubting that tampering could have been done in EVMs. Slips should be counted in VVPATs. (File pic) pic.twitter.com/oqGpsaikjf
— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018
In the states where the Congress is winning, they are calling their victory “People’s mandate” and that “Democracy has won” and other rhetorics but in the states where they have lost and they are employing the same old “EVM’s are hacked” to justify their losses.
However, on the other hand, not even a single BJP leader has come forward and blamed the EVM’s for their electoral losses. The Congress should learn that there is humility in accepting the defeat, and making lame excuses won’t help them. People have rejected their party in Telangana and they should gracefully accept it. It’s sad to see political parties behaving immaturely and instead of self-introspection, they are putting the blame of their defeats on EVMs.
The Congress tried to create a scene around EVMs, a week before the counting in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. A sting operation carried out by the India Today exposed the Congress’ EVM tampering hoax in MP.
#EVMRealityCheck
EVM malfunctioning: Truth or hype?
India Today probes Congress EVM charge
Watch the special investigation LIVE at https://t.co/4fqxBVUizL pic.twitter.com/yDhjItwBmP— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) December 10, 2018
India Today special investigation nails misinformation campaign around EVM tampering. Madhya Pradesh Congress election agents are caught on camera admitting that EVM conspiracy theory was fabricated. pic.twitter.com/o7QhAdKqgK
— BJP (@BJP4India) December 10, 2018
The Congress President Rahul Gandhi himself was indulging in his usual business of fear mongering. He authored a tweet hinting at manipulation of EVMs.
Congress party workers, it’s time to be vigilant.
In MP, EVMs behaved strangely after polling:
Some stole a school bus and vanished for 2 days. Others slipped away & were found drinking in a hotel.
In Modi’s India, the EVMs have mysterious powers.
Stay alert! pic.twitter.com/dhNeraAfxa
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 7, 2018
Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel closely following his leader participated in the rumor mongering enthusiastically.
This is absolutely shocking! pic.twitter.com/XJr8n3SdRp
— Ahmed Patel Memorial (@ahmedpatel) December 1, 2018
A video surfaced which showed a bus filled with EVMs. The Congress ecosystem claimed that this school bus without a number plate, carrying EVMs to the strong room two days after the polling was concluded. The ecosystem started spreading misinformation that the BJP was trying to manipulate the EVMs.
However, the electoral officials of Madhya Pradesh rubbished the claims of the Congress ecosystem. They informed that EVMs are safely secured and sealed in strong rooms.
Chief Electoral Office again reaffirms that all EVMs are temperproof. All EVMs are safely secured and sealed in strong rooms. More importantly they are under joint surveillance of police force and political parties. https://t.co/dGquaVsqZV
— Chief Electoral Officer, Madhya Pradesh (@CEOMPElections) December 1, 2018
It also said that the strong room was never opened.
Strong room is still sealed . It was never opened. https://t.co/3PWXGoTcyH
— Chief Electoral Officer, Madhya Pradesh (@CEOMPElections) December 1, 2018
The Election Commission has always conducted free and fair elections. It is one of the most reputed bodies of India which has worked towards strengthening the roots of democracy. It’s disheartening to see leaders making a mockery of the EVMs and the Election Commission.
Shekhar Gupta has rightly observed, “One clear verdict today: a stunning clean-sweep by the EVMs in all five states. This ends all urban legends, propaganda & loser’s perennial whine. India’s EC conducts the most efficient, clean & of course the largest elections in the world.”
