Yogi Adityanath questions Rahul Gandhi over EVM claims during NDA march
The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister accused the opposition of blaming electronic voting machines for electoral losses instead of their own failures.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday accused the Congress and its allies of weakening democratic institutions and fostering anarchy. Speaking at the NDA's 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' foot march, Adityanath claimed opposition parties only question electronic voting machines (EVMs) when they lose elections, according to a report by The New Indian Express.
Adityanath questioned why Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took his oath as a Lok Sabha member if the voting system was flawed. He stated that while the opposition takes credit for victories, they blame EVMs when voters reject them due to failures.
The Chief Minister defended the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He alleged the opposition is creating controversy over the removal of deceased persons and alleged foreign nationals from the lists, claiming such inclusions deprive marginalised communities of their rights.
Adityanath also referred to the 1975 Emergency, asking if Rahul Gandhi or the Congress would apologise for the police atrocities and deaths that occurred during that period. He further criticised a Congress rally in Delhi, linking its timing to the 1984 anti-Sikh violence.
Regarding election results, Adityanath noted the Congress won 44 seats in 2014, 52 in 2019, and 99 in 2024. He compared this to the BJP, which secured 240 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The march included BJP president Nitin Nabin, Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Pankaj Chaudhary, and Nishad Party president Sanjay Nishad. Adityanath said the march aims to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for a developed India.