Himanta Sarma attacks CM Sukhu over EVM controversy
Shimla. Political rhetoric has intensified between the ruling party and the opposition regarding electronic voting machines (EVM) and alleged vote theft in the country. Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while targeting Congress, has made sharp remarks about Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu. He said that if Congress does not have confidence in EVMs and the electoral process, then Chief Minister Sukhu should have resigned from his post before joining the opposition’s protests against EVMs. Sarma alleged that the Congress was questioning the same electoral system through which it came to power in Himachal Pradesh.
While talking to the media after the padyatra and public meeting organized by the Bharatiya Janata Party in Shimla on Sunday, November 1, Himanta Biswa Sarma raised questions on the election related complaints of the Congress. He said that the opposition is making allegations about the credibility of the electoral process, but in the states where Congress is in power, elections have also been held under the same electoral system. According to Sarma, Congress should clarify its political position.
He alleged that Congress accepts electronic voting machines when election results are in its favour, but questions the fairness of the Election Commission and the electoral system when it is defeated. Giving the example of Karnataka and Telangana along with Himachal Pradesh, Sarma said that Congress has gained power in these states through this election system. He demanded Congress to clarify its stand regarding the electoral process.
The Assam Chief Minister also targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He questioned that if the opposition does not trust EVMs, then how does Rahul Gandhi view his victory from Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat. He said that the Congress leadership should present concrete evidence in support of the allegations being made on the electoral process. Referring to various elections held through ballot paper, Sarma claimed that Congress had to face defeat in them too.
BJP’s ‘Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy’ padyatra in Shimla started from Gurdwara Sahib parking near the old bus stand. After this, BJP leaders and workers reached Chauda Maidan via Victory Tunnel and Vidhansabha Marg, where a public meeting was organised. Many senior leaders including Himachal BJP President Dr. Rajiv Bindal, former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur, MP Anurag Thakur and Suresh Kashyap were present in the program.
In the public meeting, Himanta Biswa Sarma also supported the Special Intensive Revision or SIR of the voter list. He said that to keep the democratic system strong, it is necessary for the voter list to be accurate and updated. According to him, the voting rights of every eligible Indian citizen should be protected and ineligible entries should be identified as per the rules. He accused Congress of creating confusion among the people regarding this process.
On the other hand, Congress and opposition alliance leaders have expressed their concerns over alleged irregularities in the electoral process. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu had announced to participate in the opposition rally organized at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi. He expressed the need to protect the right to vote and ensure transparency in the electoral system. The opposition is also demanding voting through ballot papers instead of EVMs. However, allegations of electoral irregularities cannot be seen as proven facts.
Himanta Biswa Sarma also cornered the Himachal Pradesh government on the issue of employment. He alleged that Congress had promised to provide five lakh jobs to the youth during the assembly elections, but the government could not provide jobs as per the expectations. Sarma claimed that the BJP government in Assam had set a target of providing one lakh government jobs and so far, jobs have been provided to about 1.07 lakh youth. These figures are the claims made in his political address.
He also sought answers from Chief Minister Sukhu on the issue of providing financial assistance to women. Sarma said that Congress had promised to give Rs 1,500 per month to women in Himachal Pradesh. He raised the question as to how many women have received benefits under this scheme so far. Along with this, he mentioned the financial assistance schemes run for women in Assam.
During BJP’s padyatra, Sarma also raised the issue of Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections to be held in the year 2027. He claimed that BJP will form the government in the next assembly elections. He called upon the party workers to get involved in election preparations and raise questions among the public about the functioning of the Congress government and its election promises. However, this is their political claim and the election results will depend on the decision of the voters.
Meanwhile, the ongoing allegations and counter-allegations between BJP and Congress regarding EVMs and voter lists have intensified the political debate. While BJP is opposing the opposition’s allegations on the electoral process, Congress is raising the demand for electoral transparency and protection of voter rights.
At present, after the statement of Himanta Biswa Sarma in Shimla, political eyes are on the stand of Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and Congress. Issues related to EVM, SIR, employment and government schemes remain the topic of discussion in the politics of Himachal Pradesh.