Farooq Abdullah, the National Conference Chief, made a bold declaration during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra rally in Mumbai, stating his intention to abolish voting by EVM machines and ensure the independence of the Election Commission. He labeled the EVM machine as a “thief” and encouraged citizens to verify ballots and check the VVPAT Slip after casting their votes in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai witnessed the presence of prominent leaders including AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, and Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren, along with other leaders from the INDIA bloc.
Abdullah emphasized the collective responsibility to safeguard the country, stating, “Kashmir to Kanniyakumari and Manipur to Mumbai; this is our India. We have the power to vote, and we should take it as our responsibility to save this country.” He highlighted the unity among the INDIA bloc partners in their efforts to protect the nation.
Reflecting on Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, which commenced from Kanniyakumari and concluded in Kashmir, Abdullah recounted the diverse experiences of the participants and celebrated the unity and diversity of India.
Meanwhile, the Congress clarified its stance on EVMs, stating that it is not against the electronic voting machines themselves but opposes any manipulation of them. The party demanded 100% counting of the VVPAT slips to ensure the credibility of the voting system and restore voters’ confidence.
Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, emphasized that the party does not advocate reverting to paper ballots but seeks transparency through the complete counting and matching of VVPATs. He reiterated that the opposition’s concern lies in preventing electronic voting manipulation rather than rejecting EVMs outright.
During the INDIA alliance meeting in December 2023, all parties reaffirmed their stance against EVM manipulation and emphasized the need for ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. Ramesh reiterated that the opposition’s objection is not against electronic voting machines per se but against any attempts to tamper with them, underscoring the importance of maintaining the sanctity of the democratic process.