BJP manipulating election process, says Congress

Party claims Modi followers are tampering with voting machines and making bogus photo ID cards

SURAT: The Congress has alleged that the BJP has set aside Rs250 crore to purchase photo identity cards (EPICs) from poor people and make bogus election cards before the upcoming assembly polls.

Addressing a news meet on Wednesday, Manish Tiwari, secretary of All-India Congress Committee, said: “We have received information that chief minister Narendra Modi has kept aside Rs250 crore to manipulate the EPICs.”

A Congress delegation met chief election commissioner (CEC) N Gopalaswami on Wednesday and apprised him of the situation. “Besides purchasing EPICs from underprivileged section of society by offering Rs250 to RS 500 per card, the BJP is also trying to make bogus election cards,” the Congress alleged. “Such practices are rampant in the rural and tribal areas where people are poor and are more than willing to give up their cards for money,” said Krishna Kant Vakharia, chairman of the party’s state legal cell.

“We fear that the BJP is also tampering with the software of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) so that every vote cast goes in their favour,” Tiwari added.

However, the CEC dismissed the Congress’ claims. “We have received complaints regarding manipulation of EVMs and EPICs. But it is not possible to tamper with EVMs. However, we have instructed the authorities concerned to check the machines before polling day,” Gopalaswami said.