Daijiworld Media Network - Bhopal

Bhopal, Apr 10: The BJP in Madhya Pradesh came out strongly against the Congress on Thursday, accusing it of blaming Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to mask its electoral failures across the country.

The attack came a day after the Congress, at its national convention in Ahmedabad, raised doubts over the credibility of EVMs, citing them as a reason behind its losses — including the 2023 Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections.

Responding to the allegations, state BJP president V. D. Sharma said Congress was questioning India's democratic institutions out of sheer frustration.

“The Supreme Court has already delivered its judgment on EVMs, yet Congress refuses to accept reality,” Sharma said, addressing the media in Bhopal. “While they quote election processes from foreign countries, they continue to mistrust India’s electoral system, which is globally respected.”

He further accused Congress of reverting to divisive politics in its bid to regain power. “Leaders like Kamal Nath and Mallikarjun Kharge, who have won elections using the same system, are now casting doubts just because they cannot match the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

Echoing Sharma’s sentiments, senior BJP leader and MLA Rameshwar Sharma also lashed out at Congress, claiming it would never be able to challenge the ideological strength of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

He pointed to past Congress regimes where RSS members were allegedly persecuted, particularly during the Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. “Despite all that, RSS not only survived but defeated the Congress. Today, neither Rahul Gandhi nor Jitu Patwari can take them on,” he said.

The remarks came in response to Congress leader Jitu Patwari’s fiery speech at the Ahmedabad convention, where he urged party workers to take a more aggressive stance against the RSS. Patwari labeled RSS a political outfit and claimed it works in sync with the BJP.

“The RSS remained silent during demonetisation. That silence says everything. Congress leaders need to stop being hesitant and take on the RSS head-on if they truly want to challenge Modi and the BJP,” Patwari had said.

While Congress sharpened its criticism of the RSS and the BJP, the ruling party in Madhya Pradesh brushed it off as yet another sign of a weakened opposition unable to come to terms with repeated setbacks.