The controversy surrounding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) has further strained relations within the INDIA bloc, with allies like the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and J&K National Conference openly challenging Congress’s stance on the issue. The growing discord highlights a widening rift in the opposition camp amid ongoing leadership tussles.
TMC’s Dig at Congress
TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee dismissed allegations of EVM tampering, calling on detractors to substantiate their claims with evidence. “I believe those questioning the EVM should go to the Election Commission and show proof if they have any. If proper checks are done during EVM randomisation, mock polls, and counting, I don’t think these allegations hold any substance. If someone still believes the EVM can be hacked, they should demonstrate it to the Election Commission,” said Banerjee, who is also the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The TMC’s remarks come amid strained ties with Congress over various issues, including their lack of participation in Congress-led protests in Parliament over the Gautam Adani bribery allegations. Additionally, Mamata Banerjee’s interest in leading the INDIA bloc has intensified the rift within the opposition alliance.
Omar Abdullah’s Remarks
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also criticized Congress’s allegations against EVMs, stating that their concerns seem selective and situational. “When you get 100 plus MPs using the same EVMs, and you celebrate that as a sort of victory for your party, you can’t then, a few months later turn around and say… we don’t like these EVMs because now the election results aren’t going the way we would like them to,” said Abdullah in an interview with PTI.
Abdullah’s National Conference, a key ally in the INDIA bloc, has partnered with Congress in J&K. His comments, however, drew a sharp response from Congress. Congress MP Manickam Tagore refuted Abdullah’s claims, pointing out that the Congress Working Committee (CWC) resolution addressed the Election Commission directly and did not involve the broader opposition bloc. “Please check your facts. The Congress CWC resolution clearly addresses the ECI only. Why this approach to our partners after being Chief Minister?” tweeted Tagore.
BJP Seizes Opportunity
The BJP capitalized on the internal discord within the opposition. BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya took a swipe at Congress, stating, “After Omar Abdullah, if even West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s nephew, who brazenly steals elections in Diamond Harbour using police and state machinery, claims that EVMs can’t be manipulated, then the Congress and Rahul Gandhi are in serious trouble. Their isolation is complete.”
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi echoed the sentiment, asserting that Congress’s blame game over EVMs won’t win elections. “The Congress should understand when INDIA bloc members are saying it… Mamata Banerjee, Sharad Pawar, Akhilesh Yadav are also saying this… you cannot only blame the EVM,” said Joshi.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra targeted Rahul Gandhi, questioning his leadership. “Leadership is not earned and not demanded. You have to have the qualities of a leader. You cannot impose yourself,” remarked Patra. He added that even Congress’s allies are becoming wary of the Gandhi family’s leadership legacy.
Opposition in Turmoil
The EVM controversy has underscored deeper issues within the INDIA bloc. The Trinamool Congress’s growing detachment from Congress-led initiatives, combined with the ongoing leadership debate, is fueling internal tensions. As Congress continues to push its narrative on EVM reliability, its allies appear divided on the issue, presenting a fractured front against the BJP-led government.
For the BJP, this discord is a political boon. By highlighting these disagreements, the ruling party aims to discredit the opposition’s unity ahead of crucial elections. Meanwhile, the leadership struggles within the INDIA bloc further complicate its efforts to present a cohesive challenge to the BJP’s dominance.
In the backdrop of this EVM row, the opposition’s ability to reconcile differences and work collaboratively remains uncertain. As Congress grapples with internal and external challenges, its position as the anchor of the INDIA bloc faces unprecedented strain.