Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 18: Taking a dig at Bharatiya Janata Party over the Gorakhpur tragedy, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has alleged that the party has money to buy votes during elections but does not have money to pay for oxygen.

Addressing a public meeting in Bhaynder (East) ahead of civic body polls in Mira Bhaynder, he termed electronic voting machines (EVMs), an insult to democracy. Uddhav said that when you press the EVM button you have no idea who your vote has gone to. He demanded to bring back the old system of voting in a ballot paper as it will rule out misappropriations.

He also alleged that despite the note ban, the BJP is distributing money to buy votes, to break a party and to form the government. The BJP and the Shiv Sena are fighting the August 20 election independently. There are 94 seats to be won. A seat was won unopposed by the Congress.

Uddhav further questioned as to what action has the government taken against those responsible for the Gorakhpur tragedy.

He criticized BJP President Amit Shah for saying “In a big country like India, there have been many such incidents in the past. This is not the first time.” Terming the attitude as cruel, he said BJP has a hypocritical approach when it is in power and when in opposition. “After the 26/11 terror attacks, the then home minister R R Patil had made a similar statement. It attracted a lot of criticism. Patil and then CM Vilasrao Deshmukh had to resign,” recalled Uddhav.

The Gorakhpur incident clearly indicates that the governance is in mess, he added.

Friday being the last day of campaigning, both the saffron parties are wooing voters. Uddhav says he is confident to win in MBMC polls, as his party had not got down to cash for vote policy. The voting will be held on Sunday. Counting of votes will take place on August 21.