Oppn fearing defeat, looking for excuses: Anurag Thakur

BJP MP Anurag Thakur today termed the opposition's demand for using ballot papers in the next Lok Sabha polls an "excuse", saying they feared "defeat" in the elections.

Taking on the opposition, the BJP leader said the opposition had lost the no-confidence motion with a decisive margin and they would lose the next general election too.

"The opposition do not have the leader to match the charisma of Narendra Modi. Under the leadership of Modiji and BJP chief Amit Shah, the party is set win the next elections. With fear of their defeat, (the) opposition is looking for excuses," Thakur told reporters here.

Thakur, who is also the party's chief whip in the Lok Sabha, added that people had faith in the party and Modi.

Earlier in the day, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien informed that 17 Opposition parties were planning to approach the Election Commission of India, demanding that ballot papers be used to conduct the next Lok Sabha election.

The parties will meet next week to discuss the plan. At present, the poll panel conducts all elections through electronic voting machines (EVMs).