RS disrupted, adjourned briefly over EVM row

The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday witnessed disruption and was adjourned briefly over the issue of alleged tampering of EVMs in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

The issue was raised by Congress leader Digvijaya Singh soon after the House met for the day's business after a break of four days.

"It's a scam and there is a proof against it," Singh alleged.

Ram Gopal Yadav of the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati and other opposition leaders also joined Digvijaya Singh on the issue and raised doubts on functioning of the EVMs.

"It's a serious matter," said Ram Gopal Yadav.

Mayawati said the government was not "trustworthy" and her party would take the matter up in a court of law.

Reacting to their charges, members from treasury benches said the Election Commission has a report on it and they must approach it.

"Don't waste time of the House," Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

Naqvi said that many elections had been held using EVMs and various political parties had won, but the questions were being raised about EVMs when the BJP won the Uttar Pradesh elections.

"It's an insult of the people. It's also an insult to democracy of the country," he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien asked members to maintain peace but nobody paid attention to his pleas and he adjourned the House for eight minutes, till 11.30 a.m.

--IANS

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