While several opposition parties decided to meet the Election Commission over the issue of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Karnataka chief minister Kumaraswamy cancelled his visit to Delhi without specifying the reason
Bengaluru: Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Tuesday (May 21) cancelled his scheduled visit to Delhi where he was expected to take part in a meeting of opposition leaders over the issue of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
"The proposed visit of the chief minister to New Delhi today stands cancelled," the chief minister’s office (CMO) said, without specifying the reason.
According to the schedule of the chief minister shared with the media earlier, Kumaraswamy was to leave for Delhi by a special flight at 11 am and take part in meetings there, before heading back to Bengaluru in the evening.
Ahead of the Lok Sabha poll result on May 23, leaders of various opposition parties will meet the Election Commission (EC) and raise the issue of tallying paper trail of votes (VVPATs) with EVM figures.
Opposition parties are demanding the tally of VVPAT slips with EVM figures in an entire Assembly constituency in case a discrepancy is found in any polling booth.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had asked the EC to tally the VVPAT slips with EVM figures of five polling stations in each Assembly constituency across the country, which may delay the results.
Kumaraswamy had on Monday (May 20) voiced concerns over the vulnerability of EVMS.
Lashing out at the exit polls, the chief minister in a series of tweets had alleged that this "artificially engineered" or "manufactured" Narendra Modi wave is being used by the BJP to lure regional parties well in advance to fill any shortfall after the results on May 23.
Speaking to MyNation, Karnataka BJP media panellist Vivek Subba Reddy said, "Kumaraswamy's false and bogus comments on EVMs are a reflection of their imminent defeat, and they are just excuses. This careless leader failed to win people's heart and is now blaming the EVMs."
"Kumaraswamy realised his falsity on EVMs and childish excuses on the machines, and he has now cancelled his visit to Delhi. It is time for the opposition to fight people than blaming the EVMs," the BJP leader added.
Reacting to Kumaraswamy's "Modi wave" comment, Vivek said, "CM Kumaraswamy by his (EVMs are artificially engineered to create a Modi wave) comment is trying to find an excuse for the impending humiliating loss of the coalition in Karnataka. This loss puts the combined ruling party to a historic lowest of lows. It's like 30 runs all out in a cricket match. Why blame the pitch or the weather?"
According to reports, the BJP would win big in Karnataka, the pollsters have predicted at the saffron party increasing its tally compared to last time.
Majority of the exit polls have predicted the BJP winning over 21 out of total 28 seats in Karnataka, compared to 17 in 2014.
Speculation is rife in political circles that any adverse result for the Congress-JD(S) alliance in the Lok Sabha poll would have its implications on the longevity of the Kumaraswamy-led government in Karnataka.
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