Bengaluru: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has again raised doubts about the integrity of electronic voting machines (EVMs), drawing attention to remarks made by business magnate Elon Musk that suggest the devices could be compromised.
During an event at Congress Bhavan to pay tribute to former PM Indira Gandhi and Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel here Thursday, Kharge pointed to Musk's expertise in technology, stating that the billionaire has claimed EVMs can be altered and hacked through computer systems. "No major Western nation such as the US, Canada, Britain, Germany, France, or Italy uses EVMs," he added.
The Congress chief also criticised BJP leaders for their staunch defence of EVMs, "They (BJP) say when we win we don't blame EVMs and don't demand ballot papers as in Telangana and Karnataka, but when BJP wins, we blame EVMs," he added. "We know their programme (strategy)."
‘One nation, one election' impractical'
Kharge countered PM Narendra Modi's ‘One nation, one election' advocacy, saying it is "impossible" without broad consensus in Parliament.
"When it comes up in Parliament, he has to take everybody into confidence. Only then, will this happen. This is impractical and impossible," he said.
The PM had earlier made his pitch for simultaneous elections during the National Unity Day parade in Kevadia, Gujarat, emphasising that the BJP-led Central govt is making strides towards the ‘One nation, one election' initiative to "strengthen India's democracy" and optimise resource use.
The opposition has opposed it, describing the concept as impractical and a potential threat to "federalism and democracy," indicating deep divisions over the proposal.
On Sept 18, the Union cabinet endorsed the ‘One nation, one election' proposal, which calls for simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections, along with urban body and panchayat polls within 100 days. This initiative stems from recommendations by a high-power committee led by former president Ram Nath Kovind.
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Photo: Mallikarjun Kharge with CM Siddaramaiah and DCM DK Shivakumar
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