Prime Minister NarendraModi on Wednesday attacked the opposition parties for questioning the electronic voting machines (EVMs) for their defeat in the LokSabha elections.
Speaking in the RajyaSabha in reply to the Motion of Thanksto President Ram NathKovind’s address to Parliament, Modi also pulled up theopposition for not attending a meeting called by him to discuss the idea ofsimultaneous parliamentary and state elections.
Accusing those pitted against the EVMs as anti-technology,the Prime Minister said: “Some people kept talking about EVMs in thisHouse… There was a time when we were two just MPs in Parliament. Peoplemocked at us but we worked hard and won the trust of the people. “We did not make excuses,” Modisaid, urging everyone to appreciate the country’s electoral processes.
“In the 1950s the polling process consumed so much time.Violence and booth capturing were common in some places. Now the news is aboutrising voter turnout. This is a healthy sign,” he said.
The Prime Minister said there have been many elections heldwith EVMs which have given opportunities to various parties to govern differentstates.
“Then why question EVMs today?”
He said that since 1992, 113 Assembly and four LokSabhaelections had been held using the EVMs. The courts had given positive verdictson them, Modi added. “Those opposing them are not only opposed to EVMs butthey have problems with technology, digital transactions, Aadhaar, GST, BhimApp. “Why such negativity? This negativity was one of the chief reasonswhy some parties have not been able to win people’s trust.
“Those who are not prepared to introspect and admittheir mistakes blame the EVMs… My friends in the Congress have not been ableto digest our victory. They have not been able to accept defeat. I do notconsider this to be a healthy sign in a democracy.”
The Prime Minister slammed the opposition parties which didnot attend the meeting called by him over the issue of simultaneous general andAssembly elections.”We are seeing the same attitude when itcomes to discussing ‘one nation, one election.’ Yes, people may not like theidea or have inputs on this. But it is important to present these ideas andhave discussions.”