BENGALURU: The BJP has expressed opposition to the Congress government’s decision to conduct local body elections using ballot papers in Karnataka. The state cabinet had recently decided to conduct elections to local bodies with ballot papers in place of electronic voting machines (EVMs). This decision comes at a time when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is campaigning in Bihar against alleged vote theft.
The Karnataka BJP has strongly criticised the state government’s move. The party has decided to launch a statewide awareness campaign against the use of ballot papers and plans to create public opinion against the government’s decision. The BJP believes that the government’s decision to use ballot papers is an attempt to facilitate electoral malpractice.
The Congress government, on the other hand, is firm on its decision to use ballot papers. The Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, other ministers and the party high command are all in favour of using ballot papers. The controversy has sparked a heated debate between the Congress and BJP, with both parties taking strong stances on the issue.
The politics surrounding EVMs and ballot papers is intensifying in the state, with implications for the upcoming local body elections. It remains to be seen if the Congress government will be able to push through its decision to use ballot papers or if the BJP’s opposition to it will gain traction.
The BJP alleges that the state government is trying to introduce ballot papers solely to appease Rahul Gandhi. According to the BJP, the government’s decision is driven by “artificial ignorance” and a lack of understanding of the electoral system. The party claims that the Congress is attempting to undermine the electoral process and that the government’s arrogance stems from its majority in the Assembly.
The BJP points out that the entire world has accepted Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), and even the Supreme Court has endorsed their use. By moving to ballot papers, the government is taking a step backward which is regressive and would harm the electoral system, according to the BJP.
