Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Monday said his party was against the use of electronic voting machines, even if it were to win all the seats in an election. He questioned the use of multiple layers of technology in the electoral process and pointed to countries such as Germany and the United States, saying they use ballot papers.
At the same press conference, Yadav said his party had already worked out its strategy to defeat the BJP and claimed voters were ready to remove it. He also raised allegations over donations and offerings at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, saying the issue had hurt the sentiments of devotees.
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Replying to a question at the party headquarters, Yadav said, “Why is there a need for a machine after a machine?” He added, “We have already told you that even if we win all the seats, we are against EVMs.”
Hitting out at the government, he said, “Since you have such good relations with America, does America not vote through ballot papers? I have given the example of Germany before you several times. Germany is such a prosperous country and is far ahead of us in technology and research. Yet that country has not accepted EVMs”.
Asked whether the Samajwadi Party would take to the streets over issues concerning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Yadav said the party had already prepared its plan against the BJP.
“We have already made our strategy to remove the BJP. And without removing the BJP, you cannot remove anyone. The real crisis is the BJP. Once the BJP is removed, all institutions will be fine,” he said.
He further claimed that the BJP would be removed by voters. “The BJP will be removed on its own. The people are ready to remove it this time,” he said.
Yadav also referred to alleged irregularities in the handling of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
“People who believe in Sanatan Dharma are very hurt and distressed. Since the theft of donations and offerings came to light in Ayodhya, crores of devotees and people of faith have been cheated,” he alleged. The Uttar Pradesh government had constituted an SIT to investigate the alleged irregularities.
Questioning the handling of the matter, Yadav said, “I will repeat the same thing — they are very afraid of CCTVs. The truth is that nobody knows the amount (stolen from the temple). How much was stolen? How much metal was stolen? How much metal was replaced?”
He also asked whether the authorities could distinguish between gold and brass while accounting for the donated metal. “There is yellow brass and there is yellow gold. Who has the count of that?” he said.
In sum, Yadav used the press conference to reiterate his opposition to EVMs, say his party had a strategy to defeat the BJP, and raise fresh questions over the alleged irregularities linked to donations and offerings at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
