Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, May 22: Even as opposition parties are raising concerns with regard to EVMs being tampered, Chikkaballapura Congress MLA K Sudhakar differed from his party’s stand and questioned as to why EVM manipulation issue is brought up only when exit poll is being discussed.
With the exit polls declaring another term for PM Modi, the Congress MLA’s dissenting view could be an indication for trouble brewing within Congress.
Many are of the opinion that the Lok Sabha polls will be a deciding factor for the longevity of the Congress – JD(S) coalition in Karnataka.
"Personally I am confused why the issue of EVM manipulation is being brought into conversation while talking about the exit poll results. When in fact the exit poll results indicate the feeling of the voter at the conclusion of polling," Sudhakar tweeted.
Meanwhile, deputy chief minister G Parameshwara dismissed differences between coalition partners. "I don't think that the national result will have any impact on the state government. We are in a very different stage politically since we are in a coalition. Congress and JD(S) high command should instruct their leaders to contain this," he told the media.
It may be recalled that two days after the exit polls came out, and ahead of the counting for the Lok Sabha elections on May 23, as many as 22 top opposition leaders met the Election Commission demanding to verify the VVPAT slips with the EVM figures. They alleged tampering of electronic voting machines (EVM).
However, their plea was rejected by the Election Commission. Congress then hit back and nicknamed electronic voting machines (EVMs) as 'election victory machines' and said Election Commission has become an 'enfeebled commission'.