Daijiworld Media Network

Vijayawada, May 2: N Chandrababu Naidu, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and chief minister of Andhra Pradesh said on Wednesday May 1 that opposition parties’ leaders will meet on May 21 and decide on the prime ministerial candidate.

Addressing media, Naidu said that leaders of the non-BJP front will meet on May 21 in New Delhi to come to a consensus on their PM candidate. He also said that there should be a nationwide debate on EVMs. Naidu reiterated his demand for counting of at least 50 per cent of VVPATs. He said the votes polled in EVM and VVPATs should be tallied.

“There is no objection for reviews conducted by Prime Minister on cyclone after NCMC meeting, why there should be objection for reviewing administration by chief ministers of opposition-ruled states. Election commission has a limited role of conducting free and fair elections. It should not try to control the State administration,” said Naidu alleging that Election Commission has been adopting a partisan attitude towards the Opposition-ruled states. He said EC has failed to act though 23 opposition parties filed 40 complaints against violation of model code of conduct.

Raising the issue of malfunction of EVMs reported in West Bengal, MP, Odisha and other non-BJP ruled states Naidu alleged that an attempt was being made to reduce polling percentage through malfunction of EVMs and arson.