Published 19:11 IST, August 2nd 2019
Maharashtra assembly elections: NCP, MNS among 9 opposition parties uniting to demand EVM boycott
The ruling BJP & Shiv Sena have already started their poll campaign. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is on ‘Maha Janadesh Yatra’ & Sena scion Aaditya Thackeray is on ‘Jan Aashirwad Yatra’ but instead of countering these poll yatras, opposition parties have decided to raise the EVM issue for now.
Maharashtra assembly elections are just two months away. The ruling BJP & Shiv Sena have already started their poll campaign. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is on ‘Maha Janadesh Yatra’ & Sena scion Aaditya Thackeray is on ‘Jan Aashirwad Yatra’ but instead of countering these poll yatras, opposition parties have decided to raise the EVM issue for now. For the first time in Maharashtra politics, nine political parties have come together & have demanded to boycott the EVM.
The leaders of Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, JD(S), Communist parties, Shetkari Kamgar Paksha, Aam Aadmi Party, Peasants & Workers Party of India, MLC Kapil Patil’s Lok Bharti had a joint meeting on Friday to discuss the EVM issue. During the meeting, these parties have agreed to start a movement against the use of EVM & VVPAT. After the brief meeting, Raj Thackeray & other leaders of opposition parties addressed the media gathering.
Raj Thackeray on EVMs
While addressing a media, Raj Thackeray alleged that the chip of the EVM can be hacked & that's why no one trusts EVM and VVPAT. Before the 2014 Loksabha election, BJP used to oppose EVM & now, they are supporting EVM. “We are going to start a movement against the EVM & first step of this movement will be a form which we are going to send to all the people of Maharashtra. Forms of those people who want the upcoming election on the ballot paper will be sent to the election commission” Raj said. United opposition also announced that on 21st August they will take out a huge protest march to demand ban EVM & bring ballot paper for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly election.
'Sonia Gandhi & Mamata extend their support,': Raj Thackeray
Raj Thackeray wants to make EVM ban a national issue and for this, he is meeting many national leaders. Recently, he met Sonia Gandhi in Delhi at her residence. In that meeting, he sought the support of Congress for his movement against the EVM. In the same way, this week, the MNS chief also met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee & discussed the EVM issue. Both Sonia & Mamata have extended their support. Mamata has also promised him that she will come for his election campaign. Very soon he will also meet other national leaders like Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati, Chandrababu Naidu, etc.
Updated 19:11 IST, August 2nd 2019