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| Now Omar slams Cong over EVM, exposes rift in INDIA bloc | | |  Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 15: After questioning the hegemony of the grand old party in leading the INDIA alliance, the National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah has once again taken aim at the Congress party, this time over its questioning of the reliability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Abdullah criticized the Congress's inconsistent stance, pointing out that the party celebrates victories achieved through the same EVMs it now chooses to question when faced with unfavorable results.
“When you get a hundred plus members of Parliament using the same EVMs, and you celebrate that as a victory for your party, you can’t then a few months later turn around and say… we don’t like these EVMs because now the election results aren’t going the way we would like them to,” Abdullah remarked in a statement to a news agency.
This latest critique follows Abdullah's recent challenge to the Congress’s dominant position within the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc. The National Conference leader has previously expressed concerns about what he perceives as Congress’s unwillingness to share political space with regional allies.
Abdullah's comments reflect a growing rift within the opposition alliance, which was formed to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming general elections. While the INDIA bloc has sought to project a united front, internal differences—particularly regarding leadership and electoral strategies—have been increasingly evident.
The Congress has often voiced skepticism over the use of EVMs in elections, alleging the possibility of tampering and manipulation. In recent months, the party has amplified its demand for a return to paper ballots, especially after a series of electoral setbacks in state and parliamentary by-elections.
Senior Congress leaders have argued that the integrity of elections is paramount and have sought greater transparency in the EVM process. However, critics, including Abdullah, view these statements as contradictory, given the Congress's significant victories in states like Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh earlier this year, where the same EVMs were used.
Abdullah’s remarks underscore the balancing act within the J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticized the Congress’s inconsistent stance.
He pointed out that the party celebrates victories achieved through the same EVMs.
Omar Abdullah had previously expressed concerns over Congress’s unwillingness to share political space with regional allies.
His comments reflect a growing rift within the opposition alliance, which was formed to counter the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Political analysts believe Abdullah’s pointed critique serves dual purposes: bolstering his party’s image as a strong regional force and sending a message to the Congress about the importance of equitable partnerships within the alliance.
“The National Conference is clearly positioning itself as more than just a junior partner within the INDIA bloc. By calling out Congress’s perceived double standards, Omar Abdullah is carving a distinct political identity while signaling his expectations for the alliance,” said a political commentator.
This latest exchange highlights the challenges of maintaining cohesion within a coalition as diverse as the INDIA bloc. With parties ranging from the Congress and National Conference to the Trinamool Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, differences in ideology, strategy, and leadership aspirations are inevitable.
As the 2024 general elections approach, such internal disagreements could undermine the bloc’s ability to effectively challenge the BJP, which has a well-organized electoral machinery and a strong central leadership.
The broader debate over EVMs is unlikely to dissipate soon. While the Election Commission of India has consistently defended the machines as reliable and tamper-proof, opposition parties remain divided on the issue.
For the Congress, raising concerns about EVMs aligns with its broader narrative of safeguarding democratic processes. However, Abdullah’s critique underscores the risk of appearing inconsistent, particularly when the same system has produced favorable results in recent elections.
As opposition leaders prepare for key strategy meetings ahead of the 2024 elections, Abdullah’s comments serve as a reminder of the fissures that could complicate the INDIA bloc’s efforts. While the alliance aims to present itself as a viable alternative to the BJP, maintaining unity in the face of divergent priorities will be its biggest test.
For now, Omar Abdullah’s sharp words against the Congress highlight both the complexities of coalition politics and the evolving dynamics of the opposition space in India. |
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