BJP blames EVMs for defeat, backtracks

BJP today sought to blame "manipulation" of EVMs for its poor performance in assembly elections in three states but later backtracked saying there could be other reasons for the party's defeat.

BJP on Thursday sought to blame "manipulation" of EVMs for its poor performance in assembly elections in three states but later backtracked saying there could be other reasons for the party's defeat.

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BJP election in-charge for assembly polls in Maharashtra, Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said manipulation of Electronic Voting Machines had led to Congress victory in these elections.

"The EVMs have become Electronic Victory Machines for the Congress. In Maharashtra, we received reports that in 73 constituencies, 600 votes had been cast in one hour. Similarly, in Haryana, 300 votes were cast in one hour in 47 seats," Naqvi said.

The senior BJP leader maintained that not only his party but other political parties had raised doubts about the credibility of EVMs. "How can five votes be cast in one minute," he asked.

When asked if EVMs were manipulated in the past in states like Chhattisgarh and Gujarat where the BJP had won, Naqvi said, "Don't look at the results but at the credibility of EVMs."

"I would request you not to look at these assembly elections from the point of view of EVMs alone. Once all the results are announced, we will analyse the reasons for the party's performance," Naqvi said.