The BJP may win more than 400 seats in the Lok Sabha if EVMs are not fixed in time: Sam Pitroda

The BJP may win more than 400 seats in the Lok Sabha if EVMs are not fixed in time: Sam Pitroda

The BJP may win more than 400 seats in the Lok Sabha if EVMs are not fixed in time: Sam Pitroda

In an interview with PTI-Video, he said that the election would determine India's future.

The BJP may win more than 400 seats in the Lok Sabha if EVMs are not fixed before the elections: Pitroda Sam

Congress leader Sam Pitroda expressed worry over electronic voting machines on Thursday, stating that the BJP might win more than 400 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections if the problems with the equipment are not resolved.

In an interview with PTI-Video, he said that the election would determine India's future.

Although the Election Commission has consistently allayed concerns about electronic voting machines and has even staged hackathons to dispel any uncertainty, certain opposition figures, such as the Congress, have brought up the subject of purported EVM manipulation on several occasions.

Many in the Congress have also said that they have faith in these machines, particularly in the wake of the party's defeat in a number of crucial states in the most recent assembly elections.

Congress and other opposition parties, however, insist that the slips be distributed to voters rather than ending up in boxes, and they require a 100% voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT).

Congressman Pitroda further said that his previous remarks on the Ram temple in Ayodhya were "twisted" and that politics and religion should not be combined.

According to sources, he expressed dissatisfaction at the fact that the whole nation is focused on Ram Temple.

Pitroda said, "The next election is about the future of India," in reference to Congressman Rahul Gandhi's planned Bharat Nyay Yatra, which will take place in advance of the polls from Manipur to Mumbai. What type of country are we trying to establish?"

"Do you want to create a country based on the supremacy of one religion, or do you want to create a country as outlined in our Constitution that respects all faiths, gives our institutions autonomy, and allows our civil society to function? Wish to establish a country? He enquired.

Pitroda expressed apprehension over electronic voting machines (EVMs) and referenced a study by "The Citizens Commission on Elections," an NGO led by retired Supreme Court judge Madan B Lokur. The report mostly suggested altering the present design. Had to complete the task. to really "voter-verify" the VVPAT technology.

Pitroda said, "I decided to come out after waiting for an answer from the Election Commission. The fact that elections are approaching in 2024 and have already concluded in five states has no bearing on this." Is."

"This study leads me to believe that there is a lack of trust. In order to restore confidence, the Election Commission must act, he said.

According to the Congressman, democracy has gone too far and "we are becoming too authoritarian." "It's all about the one-man show," he described it.

In response to a question on the BJP's predicted victory in the general elections of more than 400 seats, he remarked, "If they think they can do that, more power to them." Fantastic. It is up to the nation to determine this. The next election requires fixing the EVMs first. 400 may be true if the EVMs are not fixed. There can be no 400 if EVMs are fixed."

Pitroda said, "My remarks regarding the Ram Temple have been misrepresented." In essence, I am defending the Constitution. I'm arguing that people shouldn't become involved in religion since it's a very private subject. However, let it go. Naturally, you rejoice. It is OK for people to celebrate whatever they want. However, avoid combining it with politics."

When asked why Rahul Gandhi was not selected as the prime ministerial face of the opposition India coalition, of which the Congress is a member, Pitroda said, "The India alliance is not projecting anyone for the post of prime minister."

He said that members of the coalition would make a choice and that the alliance as a whole has determined that "we will arrive at that after the elections that right now the priority is to unite the 60% of people who do not vote for the BJP." As a group, who ought to be the candidate for prime minister?

"The committee as a whole determined that no one would be projected as the PM candidate. These two are among those who suggested Mallikarjun Kharge as the name for the president of Congress. In an alliance like this, there are certain distinctions. It's bound to occur. Pitroda said, "That's the beauty of the alliance."

During their meeting in Delhi on December 19, Mamata Banerjee, the TMC supremo for West Bengal, and Arvind Kejriwal, the national convenor of the AAP, discussed Kharge's nomination as the block's prime ministerial face.

Pitroda responded to the criticism directed on Prime Minister Narendra Modi by saying, "I don't think this is the right question to ask." This is a legislative election, not a presidential one.”