'I know about EVMs...': Pitroda says 2024 polls weren't fair
Congress leader Sam Pitroda while speaking at an event in the United States questioned the reliability of electronic voting machines. He also raised concerns over the fairness and transparency of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. To recall, in the general elections, the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to secure a majority on its own and had to rely on its alliance partners to form a government for the third time.
Pitroda questions EVM reliability in election process
"I am one of those who believe that the elections were not fair," Pitroda said during his interaction in Virginia. "I know unfortunately little too much about the electronic voting machine process, the entire logistics, and what could go wrong and how it can be manipulated. It's not foolproof, no matter what anybody says," he added. Notably, Pitroda is currently coordinating Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's outreach trip to the US in his capacity as Chairperson of the Indian Overseas Congress.
'Heartwarming to see how people voted...': Pitroda
"I think the basic change after the elections is that the people of India voted for democracy. The people of India ensured that BJP does not get more than 400 seats. It was heartwarming to see how people voted," Pitroda, however, added.
Pitroda cites financial difficulties faced by Congress
Pitroda highlighted the financial challenges the Congress faced ahead of the elections after the Income Tax department froze its bank accounts over alleged tax defaults. The party had earlier condemned the action, calling it "a deep assault on India's democracy" and claiming it hindered their campaign. "In an environment where the Congress Party's bank accounts were frozen, institutions were captured... it is hard to get a fair election," Pitroda said.
Pitroda's return to Indian Overseas Congress amid controversy
Pitroda's remarks follow his recent return to the Indian Overseas Congress chairmanship, a position he resigned from after a controversy over his "racist" comments during the Lok Sabha elections. He had implied that Indians from the East resemble Chinese, while those from the South look like Africans, causing public outrage. Pitroda later clarified his resignation was voluntary, stating that his comments were misrepresented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the campaign.
