The face of the Patidar movement in Gujarat, Hardik Patel, on Tuesday once again alleged that EVM tampering was behind the BJP’s ability to scrape through majority mark in the state assembly.
He said that around 12-13 seats ‘were messed around with…seats which made ministers win.’
“The Patels opposed them, OBCs opposed them, Dalits opposed them, traders opposed them, so who voted for them?” He was quoted by NDTV.
Incidentally, the BJP candidates on 12 seats had won with a wafer thin margin. They included Botad, Godhra, Himatnagar and Vijapur.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Hardik had said that the role of EVMs could not be ruled out adding that the BJP’s performance in areas with strong Patel population raised too many questions.
He had said, “EVMs decide our country’s future… If ATMs can be hacked, why can’t EVMs?”
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old Patidar leader congratulated Congress for emerging as a strong opposition in the state.
Speaking to ANI, Hardik said, “I would like to congratulate Congress for emerging as a strong opposition in Gujarat. We will have to see how they serve people while also playing their role of the opposition.”
BJP had won 99 seats in the Gujarat assembly, 16 down from its performance in 2012, while a resurgent Congress had improved its tally to 80, an increase of 19 seats.
Although, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, did not make any reference to EVMs, one of his senior leaders in Maharashtra, Sanjay Nirupam, has tweeted on Monday alleging the machines’ role in ensuring the BJP’s victory in Gujarat.
Janta Ka Reporter had carried a two-part series exposing the Election Commission’s claims on the infallibility of the EVMs. (You can read them here and here). Our investigation had also found a potential nexus between the beneficiaries of Rs 20,000 crore gas scam of Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation and the company that make microchips for EVMs in India.