Daijiworld Media Network - Patna
Patna, Sep 29: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) National Working President Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday renewed his demand for replacing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with ballot papers, while attacking the Bihar government over the alleged rape and assault of a woman in Begusarai.
Speaking to reporters at Patna airport, Tejashwi said the RJD had consistently supported elections through ballot papers.
“We have been demanding right from the beginning that ballot papers be brought back, and machines (EVMs) be removed,” he said.
His remarks came a day after former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati called for elections to be held through ballot papers at all levels, from Lok Sabha to state Assembly polls.
The debate over voting systems has resurfaced amid the ongoing political controversy surrounding the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have raised questions over aspects of the exercise and cited reports of differences within the poll panel over certain decisions related to the revision.
Several Opposition parties have demanded the resignation or removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and sought greater scrutiny of the Election Commission’s functioning. The demands followed reports that other Election Commissioners had raised objections over certain SIR-related decisions.
The Election Commission, however, has maintained that differences of opinion can arise during internal deliberations and asserted that final decisions were taken unanimously. Opposition parties, including the Congress and other INDIA bloc constituents, have continued to protest over the issue and pressed for action against Kumar.
Tejashwi also targeted the Bihar government over the alleged sexual assault of a woman in Begusarai, describing the incident as a serious law-and-order issue.
The RJD leader alleged that the woman was assaulted and raped in a hotel and that a video of the incident was subsequently circulated on social media. He questioned the state administration’s response and demanded accountability.
He also targeted Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over their response to the incident.
Police have registered an FIR based on the woman’s complaint and launched an investigation into the allegations. According to police and media reports, the incident took place on September 27 after the woman, who is associated with a self-help group, left home for loan recovery-related work. Investigators said she was allegedly taken to a hotel by a person known to her, where another man was present.
The woman subsequently alleged that she was sexually assaulted and that the incident was recorded on video. Police said the footage surfaced on social media and was taken into consideration as part of the investigation.
The woman later returned home and informed her family, following which a complaint was lodged at the Town Police Station. Police registered an FIR, inspected the scene and collected forensic evidence. A special team has also been formed and raids are being conducted to trace the accused.
According to police, the main accused had not been arrested as of Tuesday, while another person named in connection with the case had been taken into custody. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault, video evidence and other material gathered during the probe.