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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4 workers die after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad
Dhanbad (Jharkhand) (PTI): At least four workers died after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district on Saturday, a police official said.
The incident took place at Moonidih coal washery in the command area of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL).
"Bodies of all four workers were dug out of debris during a rescue operation," Putki police station in-charge Waqar Hussain told PTI.
The incident took place when coal slurry was being loaded into trucks by workers, during which a large chunk of slurry fell and trapped several workers underneath, officials said.
The deceased have been identified as Manik Bauri, Dinesh Bauri, Deepak Bauri, and Hemlal Gope.
Meanwhile, the family members of the deceased and local villagers placed the bodies in front of the washery gate and began a protest.
They demanded compensation, jobs for dependents and action against those responsible for the incident.
Police and administration officials are trying to pacify the protesters, an official said.
