Govt, Oppn spar over ‘tampering’ of EVMs

New Delhi : The Rajya Sabha today witnessed a ruckus when the Opposition and government clashed over the alleged tampering of electronic voting machines (EVMs) to favour the ruling BJP.
Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien adjourned the House briefly as the Opposition members protested. An angry exchange was witnessed between BSP’s Mayawati and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.
This was followed by a war of words between Naqvi and Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad. Naqvi pointed out that EVMs were also used in the 2004 and 2009 General Election, as also during the Delhi, Bihar and Punjab elections where the BJP lost. He wondered why the Congress did not question EVM use at that time.
In his defence, Azad said Congress governments did not tamper with EVMs. Ramgopal Yadav of the SP alleged EVMs were being deliberately programmed to favour the BJP, while Mayawati alleged mass irregularities in the recent UP elections.