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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No more street vending on B’luru’s main roads, as govt plans to bring new policy for street hawkers
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday said that the state government has decided to formulate a new policy for footpaths in Bengaluru, under which street vending will not be allowed on main roads and sub-main roads.
Addressing the media after a budget preparation meeting and executive meeting of GBA corporations at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar said discussions were held with MLAs from the GBA region regarding the corporations’ budgets and key civic issues.
Leader of Opposition R. Ashok also participated in the meeting and shared his views. Officials from multiple departments, including police, BESCOM, BMRCL, BWSSB and BDA, along with ministers and legislators, were present.
He stated that all five municipalities have prepared their individual budgets, while MLAs have submitted their demands, including calls for ward-wise grants.
“We have decided to bring a new policy for footpaths. Citizens are struggling to walk as footpaths are encroached upon by street vendors,” Shivakumar said.
Highlighting the need to balance livelihoods and public convenience, he added that “a separate space will be provided for street vendors, and specific roads will be designated for their business,” ensuring that pedestrians can use footpaths without obstruction. He noted that there was unanimous agreement among MLAs on this approach.
Issuing a warning to vendors, Shivakumar said that authorities will act against those violating the rules. “If vendors operate during the day and leave their carts on the roadside at night, authorities will clear them. People should be aware of this,” he said.
Providing data on street vendors, he said that around 60,000 vendors have registered so far, of which 30,000 have applied for vehicles, and a tender has already been floated.
“Only those with street vendor identity cards will be allowed to do business. Those without ID cards will not be permitted to operate on the streets,” he added.
