Prakash Ambedkar alleges EVM manipulation in Bhandara-Gondiya bypoll
Mumbai, Dec 8 : Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) leader Prakash Ambedkar Saturday alleged that electronic voting machines (EVMs) were manipulated in the May 28 Bhandara-Gondiya Lok Sabha bypolls in Maharashtra.
NCP candidate Madhukar Kukde had defeated Hemant Patle of the BJP in the bypoll by 48,097 votes, the result of which was declared on May 31.
The bypoll was necessitated due to the resignation of sitting BJP MP Nana Patole.
Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, Ambedkar said the polling percentage (in the Bhandara-Gondiya bypoll) stood at 38.5 at 5pm, however, at 6pm, it rose up to 53.5.
"According to the Election Commission, a maximum of only 101 people can vote. However, here, 140 people were seen to have voted. How is this possible?" he asked.
"This happened because EVMs were possibly manipulated.
The EC should conduct an investigation in the phenomenal rise in polling percentage," Ambedkar said.
When asked about an alliance with the Congress for the upcoming Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections, Ambedkar said, "We are told that the Congress has not been given a green signal to hold talks with us by the party high command."
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) had, on September 15, announced that they will forge an alliance for the Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly polls in 2019.
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Mamata alleges BJP disrupted her Bhabanipur rally, Suvendu claims 'she's nervous'
Kolkata (PTI): Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cut short her speech at a rally in her Bhabanipur constituency, alleging that the BJP was deliberately playing loud music from a nearby public meeting.
A peeved Banerjee said despite having the required permission of the Election Commission, her rally in Chakraberia was disrupted by the BJP, "who want to capture Bengal by intimidation and threat".
"It is not possible for me to go ahead with this meeting. If they can do such a thing in my constituency, imagine how undemocratic the BJP is. If they behave like this, I have to take legal action," she said.
"This is an insult, humiliation. BJP is stepping on our toes to instigate trouble. Not possible to address the gathering in this situation. I am leaving the stage. Please vote for me in your protest," she added.
Banerjee was then seen calling someone over and venting her grievances.
Before leaving the stage, she said, "I will hold a rally tomorrow at the same spot."
TMC supporters then rushed towards the BJP rally, which was later addressed by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, but security personnel intervened and prevented the situation from escalating.
TMC workers later staged a demonstration outside the local police station and filed a complaint, alleging that the BJP violated the model code of conduct.
A senior TMC leader said another complaint will also be lodged with the Election Commission.
Asked about Banerjee's allegations, Adhikari told reporters after the rally he held nearby, "Her reaction shows she is nervous about the imminent loss."
"There was no violence, no obstruction in her meeting and her behaviour shows her nervousness. On May 4, people of Bhabanipur will celebrate the victory of the BJP," he claimed, alleging that the TMC also tried to disrupt his meeting by playing loud music.
South Kolkata's Bhabanipur, one of the battleground seats in the West Bengal elections, will vote in the second phase on April 29.
