At rally in Bihar, PM Modi hails SC verdict on EVMs; slams opposition

Araria: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted that the Supreme Court judgment on cross-verification of votes was a “tight slap” on the Congress-led opposition which must “apologise” for committing the “sin of creating distrust” against Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Addressing an election rally in Araria Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar, he also charged the opposition with trying to "steal" reservations meant for OBCs, SCs and STs "for the sake of their favourite vote bank of Muslims".

"When the Congress, the RJD and other INDIA bloc parties were in power, the poor, backwards and Dalits used to be deprived of their votes through booth capture. With the introduction of Electronic Voting Machines, they are no longer able to play their old game. Hence, they committed the sin of creating distrust against EVMs," alleged the prime minister.

"But today, the highest court of the country has delivered a verdict a few hours earlier which comes as a tight slap (karara tamacha) on these parties", said Modi, referring to the judgment by which pleas seeking cross-verification of votes cast through EVMs with VVPAT have been rejected.

The prime minister also accused the Congress of having "stolen" reservations meant for the OBCs and transferring the benefits to Muslims in Karnataka, where the party is in power.

The grand old party wanted to replicate the "conspiracy" in the rest of the country, including in Bihar where its ally "has not spoken a word against" the move in the southern state, he alleged.

"Being an OBC myself, I know the hardships faced by the backward classes", said Modi, adding, "in future, they may loot reservations for SCs and STs as well".

Claiming that the previous government headed by Manmohan Singh had given its "assent" for reservations to Muslims, the prime minister slammed the Congress and its "ecosystem" for "trying to browbeat me, without success".

Reiterating that the Congress manifesto bore "the imprint of Muslim League", Modi said the party's "injustice towards Hindus stands exposed".

"I say poor people have the first claim on the country's resources. Congress, RJD and their allies say the first claim is of their vote bank. They want to steal your belongings, even mangalsutras of women", alleged the Prime Minister.

"The Congress people do not want you to bequeath your property to your children", Modi alleged, in an apparent reference to Sam Pitroda's remark on inheritance tax in the US.

He also coined a slogan "Congress ki loot, zindagi ke saath bhi zindagi ke baad bhi", to allege that the opposition party wanted to rob people of their belongings during their lifetime and after death deprive their offspring of the same.

Modi also underscored the need for a healthy voter turnout, in the backdrop of the same having been lower than usual in the first phase, saying "on the polling day, the atmosphere should be festive, leaving behind the acrimony during the campaign".

"The current elections are crucial for the country's future with regard to its economic and defence capabilities. I urge the people, especially the youth, to come out and vote in large numbers", said Modi.