We don’t want EVMs, we want ballot paper: Mallikarjun Kharge days after INDIA bloc’s defeat in Maharashtra, Haryana

Days after the INDIA bloc's defeat in the Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly elections, Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge said on Tuesday that they don't want Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and demanded a return to the ballot paper.

“We don't want EVMs, we want ballot paper,” reported PTI, quoting Mallikarjun Kharge.

Kharge called for a campaign similar to the Bharat Jodo Yatra for return of ballot paper and to do away with EVMs.

Kharge made the remark while addressing the Samvidhan Rakshak Abhiyan event at Talkatora Stadium in Delhi.

In the recently held Maharashtra assembly elections, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was routed by the BJP-led Mahayuti in what ended up being a one-sided contest. While the MVA alliance won 46 seats, Congress won just 16 seats.

The Mahayuti recorded a landslide victory, winning 230 out of 288 seats. The BJP bagged 132 seats, the Shiv Sena 57, and NCP 41 seats.

Meanwhile, the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Kharge, and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, have written to the Chair in the two Houses requesting that a discussion be held on the Constitution for two days in both Houses.

"Time should be allotted for that so that the good things about the Constitution can be discussed, and the wrong things that are happening today can also be discussed. Rahul Gandhi ji and I have written letters, we are waiting for the government's response," Kharge told PTI.

What did Kharge say?

The Congress president claimed that PM Modi fears caste census, adding, “Everyone demanding their share.”

Kharge also told the BJP that if they really want unity in the country, they should stop spreading hatred.

— Some people praise the Constitution, but only superficially; inside, they are undermining it.

— To protect the Constitution, Rahul Gandhi ji launched the Bharat Jodo Yatra, and to save democracy, all minorities came forward, which is why we were able to stop PM Modi.

— Today, his government is not a majority government but a minority one.

— PM Modi (government) is standing with the support of TDP's Chandrababu Naidu and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar.

— This government will fall if anyone withdraws support.