Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday criticized the opposition for carrying out a campaign against the EVM while demanding polling, especially after they After the defeat in the Assembly elections, he said “EVM means every vote goes to Maharashtra”.
“Accept the mandate with an open mind. Until you introspect, your situation will remain the same,” Fadnavis told the opposition while responding to a debate in the Maharashtra Assembly on the governor’s speech. He claimed that he was opposed to it. The campaign against the EVM is also aimed at disrespecting the Constitution.
The Maharashtra chief minister quoted poet Mirza Ghalib: “Dhul chehere pe thi, aaina saf karata raha” (There is dust on your face, but keep cleaning the mirror). He reiterated that the opposition parties should introspect by accepting the vote mandate instead of blaming the EVM. He said the PPP and Mahayutthir did not blame the EVM for the disappointing performance in the Lok Sabha polls.
“We did not blame the EVM. We failed because of false narratives but after self-reflection we took corrective measures,” Fadnavis said. He thanked the people for Mahayuthi’s overwhelming victory.
“Prime Minister Modi raised the slogan ‘Ek Hai To Safe Hai’. People supported Prime Minister Modi’s slogan. People united and voted for MahaYuti, who got nearly 50 per cent of the votes,” he said, adding : “I am a modern Abhimanyu, I can penetrate…that is why I am standing here and I owe this to the BJP and the people.”
Fadnavis further said that false narratives will be countered through direct narration, adding that his aim is to destroy the false narrative of the opposition about EVM. He also took a dig at the opposition saying that when they win an election they claim it is a victory for democracy and when they lose an election they claim it is the murder of democracy.
“I was surprised as senior politician and NCP-SP president Sharad Pawar raised the EVM issue and said small states give to the Indian bloc and big states give to the BJP and allies. Sharad Pawar has never commented on EVM in the past, But this time he said he was questioning the EVM,” he said. In a lighter tone, Fadnavis said Ajit Pawar, who is serving as deputy chief minister for the sixth time, will also become chief minister one day.