Assam Chief Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma accused the Congress of selectively questioning electronic voting machines (EVMs) after electoral defeats while accepting the same system when it wins elections.
Addressing the BJP’s ‘Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy’ padyatra in Shimla, Sarma said the party won elections by winning people’s hearts rather than stealing votes.
“The Congress is not only losing on EVMs but also on ballot papers, as seen in the recent elections for Member of Legislative Council in various states. This is because the BJP does not steal votes; it steals hearts,” he said.
Sarma targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, questioning their criticism of EVMs despite the Congress having come to power in Himachal Pradesh through the same electoral system. He challenged Gandhi to explain his victory from Rae Bareli and his position as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, while asking why Sukhu continued to lead the state government if the voting system was unreliable.
The Assam chief minister alleged that the Congress accepted EVMs when it won in Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh but questioned the Election Commission and electoral process when the BJP emerged victorious.
Defending the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Sarma said accurate voter lists were essential for protecting democracy. He maintained that every eligible Indian citizen must retain the right to vote, while ineligible entries should be removed in accordance with the law.
The BJP’s padyatra began at Gurdwara Sahib Parking near the Old Local Bus Stand, proceeded through Victory Tunnel and the Vidhan Sabha road, and concluded with a public rally at Chaura Maidan.
Sarma also accused the Congress of citing political developments in Bangladesh and Nepal to create an atmosphere of instability in India. He asserted that governments in the country changed through elections, not street protests or political intimidation.
Referring to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots following the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Sarma questioned the Congress leadership’s historical accountability and demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi before he spoke about saving democracy.
Comparing the BJP government’s performance in Assam with that of the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, Sarma claimed his government had fulfilled its promise of providing one lakh government jobs by employing around 1.07 lakh young people.
He accused the Sukhu government of failing to fulfil its promise of creating five lakh jobs in five years, urging the Congress to address its organisational weaknesses and unfulfilled commitments instead of blaming the electoral system.
Predicting a BJP return to power in Himachal Pradesh, Sarma urged voters to give the Congress a “decisive democratic answer” in the 2027 Assembly elections, expressing confidence that the BJP would secure a strong mandate.
