Suspecting manipulations, Congress seeks EVMs from outside states

BANGA(JALANDHAR), September 26: Punjab Congress has sought use of the electronic voting machines (EVMs) from outside the state to rule out possibility of any manipulations in the coming elections in Punjab.
Disclosing this here today, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh today said that he had written to the Election Commission of India seeking EVMs from outside the state for use in the ensuing assembly elections in the state.
Talking to reporters along the sidelines of the ‘Halke vich Captain’ programme here today, he said, this was to prevent any possible manipulation by the local officials at the behest of their Akali bosses. He pointed out, the EVMs are under the custody of local officials who can always be cajoled or coerced by the Akalis to do their bidding. To another question, he said, there was every possibility of their manipulated programming.
The PCC president said, the party has also written to the commission seeking deployment of central security forces for free and fair elections. He said, although the Akalis were capable of mischiefs, the Congress workers will not let them to do anything. “We are capable of squaring it off with them there and then only, but we don’t want to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere and that is why we are seeking deployment of central security forces”, he said.
At the same time, he added, he had complete faith in the local police, most of whom supported the Congress only.
Commenting on the recent incidents of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahab and Gita, in Jalandhar, Capt Amarinder said, all suspicions lead towards the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal as he had old habit of polarising people. Besides, he added, since earlier incidents went unpunished, the culprits got encouraged again.
Earlier, interacting with people of the Banga assembly segment, he said, the entire belt from Ropar to Gurdaspur will be developed as industrial hub. He said, this was necessary for generating employment and revenue.
Replying to a question on false cases against the Congress workers, he said, while all the FIRs will be cancelled, those responsible for getting these registered, both the Akali jathedars and the police officials will be brought to the book.
Among others present on the occasion included Tarlochan Soond, Satbir Palichaki and Rajwinder Lucky.