Congress responds as Omar Abdullah dismisses opposition’s EVM claims

The Congress criticized Omar Abdullah, claiming his stance on opposition issues changed after his tenure as Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister. This reaction followed Abdullah’s dismissal of EVM manipulation allegations raised by opposition parties, including Congress allies.

Senior Congress MP Manickam Tagore clarified that the Samajwadi Party, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Shiv Sena (UBT) raised the recent concerns about EVMs after Maharashtra poll results. Tagore questioned Abdullah’s approach toward allies, reminding him that Congress’s resolution only addressed the Election Commission.

Doubts over EVM credibility resurfaced after Sharad Pawar highlighted discrepancies in Maharashtra’s results, where MVA allies performed poorly, failing to secure even 10% of seats. Congress, through its Working Committee resolution, termed it a case of “targeted manipulation” and criticized the Election Commission’s “partisan functioning.”

Omar Abdullah, however, countered these claims, stressing consistency in opposing EVMs. He argued that celebrating victories achieved through EVMs while questioning them during losses appeared contradictory. Abdullah advised that parties doubting EVMs should reconsider contesting elections.

The Congress and National Conference recently contested the Jammu and Kashmir elections together, despite differences over EVM concerns.