Assam: EVMs allegedly found in BJP candidate's car in Patharkandi, Congress furious

The video was tweeted by Assam-based journalist Atanu Bhuyan who said, "... Situation tense after EVMs found in Patharkandi BJP candidate Krishnendu Paul’s car."

The EVMs were being transported in a Bolero vehicle of Paul, who is also a sitting MLA.

According to the reports, some locals had stopped the vehicle bearing registration number AS-10B-0022 and during search locals had found EVMs from the car.

Meanwhile, the affidavit filed by Paul with his nomination papers has revealed that, the Bolero vehicle belongs to the BJP MLA.

The development occurred hours after the second phase of Assam assembly polls were held in 39 seats on Thursday. A voter turnout of 73.03% was recorded till 6 pm.

Reacting to the development, several Congress leaders have gone out to slam the BJP, which is seeking a second straight term in the state, accusing it of looting voting machines.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra lashed out at the BJP in a series of tweets which read, "Every time there is an election videos of private vehicles caught transporting EVM’s show up. Unsurprisingly they have the following things in common: 1. The vehicles usually belong to BJP candidates or their associates. ...."

"2. The videos are taken as one off incidents and dismissed as aberrations 3. The BJP uses its media machinery to accuse those who exposed the videos as sore losers. The fact is that too many such incidents are being reported and nothing is being done about them."

".. The EC needs to start acting decisively on these complaints and a serious re-evaluation of the use of EVM’s needs to be carried out by all national parties."

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor tweeted, "This is profoundly shocking. Even critics of the slide in India’s democratic culture have said our elections at least are free&fair but we have become an “electoral autocracy”. If EVMs become suspect then what is left? The Election Commission must investigate urgently &openly!"

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi tweeted, "This is the only way the BJP can win Assam: by looting EVMs. EVM capturing, like there used to be booth capturing. All under the nose of the Election Commission. Sad day for democracy."

Congress leader Sushmita Dev said, "After phases 1 and 2 of #AssamAssemblyElection2021, it has become clear the BJP is facing a rout in the state. They have thus taken to openly looting EVMs. Is @ECISVEEP awake or will democracy die in darkness?"

However, the allegations of the Congress have been trashed by the BJP.

BJP MP Rajdeep Roy has put out a tweet stating Paul's brother was only helping the election officials stranded on a road.

Roy tweeted, "Seems like the days of being a good samaritan are gone. Fact vs fabrication (1/2) 1) The candidate's brother was helping election officials stranded on a stretch of road from Nilambazar to Karimganj."

"Fact vs Fabrication (2/2) 2) The EVM (No. 149) doesn't belong to the constituency of the alleged candidate. Request @priyankagandhi ji to kindly fact-check before instructing EC on their job."