Ballot Paper Challenge: Pawan Khera Hits Back at PM Modi Over EVM Row
Congress leader Pawan Khera challenges PM Modi to conduct Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha polls via ballot papers amid EVM row.
The political battle over the integrity of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) has intensified as Congress leader Pawan Khera launched a scathing counterattack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a bold move, Khera has challenged the Prime Minister to prove his confidence in the BJP's electoral strength by permanently reintroducing paper ballots for all major upcoming polls, including the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections.
The Spark: PM Modi's Jab at Congress
The escalation began after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a swipe at the Congress party on X (formerly Twitter). The Prime Minister highlighted recent MLC elections held across 28 seats in four major states—Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Karnataka. Pointing out that these specific elections were conducted using traditional ballot papers, PM Modi questioned the Congress party's performance, effectively suggesting that the method of voting does not change the electoral outcome for the opposition.
The BJP and its allies have seen strong performances in these contests, including a dominant 4-0 sweep by the NDA in the Karnataka Legislative Council polls, while counting continues in other states.
Khera's Counter: Action Over Rhetoric
Responding to the Prime Minister's post, Pawan Khera argued that if PM Modi is truly convinced that EVMs have no bearing on election results, he should move beyond "rhetorical posts" and implement policy changes. Khera asserted that the government should demonstrate its confidence in the BJP's prowess through concrete action rather than words.
"If Narendra Modi is so confident that EVMs have no bearing on election results, let him prove his confidence in the BJP’s electoral prowess through action, not rhetoric," Khera stated.
The Four-Point Demand
Going beyond the debate on voting machines, Pawan Khera outlined a series of stringent demands directed at the Central government to ensure electoral transparency:
- Return to Ballot Papers: A formal commitment to conduct all future Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections strictly using paper ballots.
- Voter Restoration: The immediate suspension of the current voter verification system (SIR) and the restoration of 13.3 crore voters who were allegedly deleted from the electoral rolls illegally.
- Leadership Change: The removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar from his position.
- Legal Reform: The repeal of legislation that provides statutory protections and lifelong immunity to the leadership of the Election Commission.
By calling for the termination of the Chief Election Commissioner and the removal of legal immunities, Khera has shifted the conversation from a technical debate over machines to a broader challenge against the administration of India's electoral machinery.