The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has aligned itself with National Conference leader Omar Abdullah’s stance by refusing to support its ally Congress in the ongoing debate over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). This decision comes after the Congress, along with other opposition parties, expressed concerns over the reliability of EVMs and demanded a return to paper ballots.
Source:- bbc news
Omar Abdullah had recently questioned the opposition’s focus on EVMs, emphasizing that raising doubts about the machines could demoralize voters. He argued that opposition parties should concentrate on voter mobilization rather than attributing electoral setbacks to EVM malfunctions. The TMC echoed this viewpoint, stating that the EVM debate was unnecessary and counterproductive.
Source:- news 18
The TMC’s decision reflects its growing divergence from the Congress on several strategic issues despite their alliance within the INDIA bloc. TMC leaders argue that challenging EVMs undermines public trust in the electoral process and shifts focus away from critical campaign strategies. Instead, they advocate for building grassroots connections to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) electoral strength.
This move could signal deeper cracks within the opposition alliance as they gear up for the 2024 general elections. While the Congress and other parties like the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) continue to demand a shift to paper ballots, the TMC’s public disagreement highlights differing priorities among opposition parties.
The controversy over EVMs has persisted for years, with many parties accusing the BJP of benefiting from alleged tampering. However, the Election Commission of India has consistently refuted these claims, asserting that EVMs are tamper-proof.
The TMC’s stance may recalibrate the opposition’s approach to election issues and force a reevaluation of their collective strategy against the BJP in the upcoming elections. This development underlines the challenges in maintaining unity within the opposition alliance.
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