The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday lashed out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, urging him to stop blaming electronic voting machines (EVMs) for election losses and instead focus on crafting a coherent strategy. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra remarked, “Leadership is not earned and not demanded. You have to have the qualities of a leader. You cannot impose yourself.”
Patra accused the opposition INDIA alliance of being a “scam,” highlighting internal rifts as alliance partners contest elections separately while projecting conflicting leadership visions.
The BJP’s critique follows former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s statement to PTI, where he said that the Congress must “justify” its leadership in the INDIA bloc rather than “taking it for granted.” Abdullah’s comment has sparked debates within the alliance, signaling potential discord among its partners.
Adding to the conversation, Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee addressed the issue of EVM credibility. Banerjee dismissed allegations of EVM tampering, stating, “If someone believes EVMs can be hacked, they should meet the Election Commission and demonstrate it. Random accusations serve no purpose.” He emphasized the importance of proper protocols, such as EVM randomization and mock polls, to ensure transparency.
The BJP’s pointed remarks and the brewing tensions within the INDIA bloc highlight the challenges faced by the opposition alliance as they gear up for upcoming elections.