Tribune News Service
New Delhi, July 3
The government on Wednesday countered the Opposition parties for doubting the credibility of electronic voting machines saying they too had formed governments after winning polls via the same machines.
Replying to a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the need for electoral reforms, Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad took a jibe at the Congress saying “EVMs were all right when Manmohan Singh became the Prime Minister twice!”
“The Opposition parties have no issues with the EVMs when Mamata Banerjee, Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav become Chief Ministers. There has to be political morality. This hypocrisy and double-standard impinges on the credibility of the system,” said Prasad.
Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu allowed the “short duration” discussion in response to notices given by more than 12 political parties, including the Congress. TMC’s Derek O’ Brien, who was the prime mover, initiated the discussion, which saw participation by 17 speakers.
On the Opposition’s charge that the BJP allegedly misused during polls the martyrdom of CRPF personnel in Pulwama and the Balakot airstrikes in violation of the EC’s code of conduct, Prasad reminded the Congress of former PM Indira Gandhi making the 1971 war win over Pakistan, which led to creation of Bangladesh, as an election issue.
He debunked the charge of the government “misusing” data, media and money power, among others, to influence voters in the General Election. Seeking not to insult the common man’s intelligence, he said the people had re-voted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to power for his sincerity and good governance. The Opposition leaders, meanwhile, batted for appointment for Election Commissioners through a collegium sanctioned by the President.
from The Tribune https://ift.tt/2RUjTJj
via Today’s News Headlines
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