AAP rank and file not blaming EVMs for poll losses

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Apr 26 2017 | 6:32 PM IST
The AAP leadership has blamed EVMs for the party's poor show in the Punjab assembly election and the MCD polls, but not many in the party are ready to buy this claim.
Contrary to AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal's stand, party MP Bhagwant Mann said there was no use in finding fault with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the party should introspect on the reasons behind its defeat in Punjab.
Mann also slammed the party leadership for "behaving like a 'mohalla' (local) cricket team," and said AAP had committed a "historic blunder" in Punjab with regard to the overall electoral strategy.
AAP Punjab state convener Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi also endorsed Mann's remarks.
After the party won only 20 seats in Punjab, Kejriwal had alleged tampering of EVMs in the polls.
Reacting to Mann's position on EVMs, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the party would introspect on reasons behind its defeat, but that it does not mean EVMs were not tampered with.
"Looking at the situation, it seems that there is an EVM wave in Delhi," Sisodia said.
"There is no reason why people should vote for the BJP (in the MCD polls). We will anayalse the reasons behind our defeat. We would have understood had there been a difference of 2-4 seats, but the margin between the two parties can only happen by rigging the EVMs," Sisodia said.
In Delhi, as the party leadership blamed the EVMs for its defeat in the MCD polls, a Delhi minister did not agree with the views held by the top brass. Several volunteers, the backbone of the party, are also refusing to buy the claims made by the leadership.
"We need to see why we lost in Delhi despite winning 67 out of 70 seats in Delhi just two years ago," the minister said.
An MLA from Central Delhi echoed the minister's sentiments.
"The reasons are shocking as we did not expect to do so badly. Although the party blames EVMs for the defeat and we need to look into the reasons behind the loss, my view is different. But I shall toe the party line on this," the MLA said.

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Apr 26 2017 | 6:32 PM IST

Next Story