Akhilesh Yadav accuses BJP of stealing people's mandate

LUCKNOW: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav accused the ruling BJP of attempting to “steal” the people's mandate after a truck laden with EMVs was intercepted by the party workers in Varanasi on Tuesday. The Varanasi district election officer claimed that the EVMs were being carried for training purposes.

Replying to Yadav's allegations, deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya trashed the charges levelled by him and asked him to stop staging a drama before the counting of votes. He said the EC makes proper arrangements for every candidate to keep a watch over the EVMs.

Speaking to reporters in Lucknow, Akhilesh also said that exit polls were meant to create a perception that the

saffron party

would emerge victorious in the Uttar Pradesh election. He also alleged that government officials in Lucknow were directing their subordinates in the districts to slow down the counting of votes and prolong the process till late night where the chances of the BJP candidates winning were slim.

Yadav alleged that the instructions are particularly with regard to 47 seats which the BJP had won in the last state Assembly polls with a margin of less than 5,000 votes.

“Today, in Varanasi, where the EVMs were being taken, one truck with the machines was caught, while two other trucks fled. If the government is not indulging in stealing votes, then it should at least say why the administration has not made security arrangements (for the EVMs)," he said.

“The force meant for the UP polls has not left the state yet. What are the reasons that the EVMs were being transported without any security?” the SP chief asked.

He also said EVMs were kept in strongrooms and without informing the respective candidates, the machines cannot be moved or shifted from one place to another.

“In Bareilly, three sealed boxes (with EVMs) were found in a vehicle of the municipal corporation carrying garbage (registration number UP25DT9166). Plain ballot papers and things used for sealing (EVMs) were also found. A similar incident was also reported from Sonbhadra. What justification will the government give?” Yadav asked.