Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have become a contentious issue within the INDIA bloc, exposing fault lines among its member parties and creating fresh discord. The controversy escalated as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah dismissed the Congress's claims of EVM unreliability, signaling deepening cracks within the opposition alliance. The rift has not only underscored the fragility of the INDIA bloc’s unity but has also provided ammunition to the ruling BJP to question the alliance's credibility and coherence.
TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, a prominent leader within the party and the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, openly criticized the Congress’s stance on EVMs. Taking a jibe at the party, he challenged those questioning the machines’ reliability to substantiate their allegations. “I believe those questioning the EVMs should go to the Election Commission and show proof if they have any. If proper checks are done during EVM randomisation, mock polls, and counting, I don't think these allegations hold any substance. If someone still believes the EVM can be hacked, they should demonstrate it to the Election Commission,” Abhishek stated, calling for evidence-based accountability rather than speculative claims. His remarks highlighted the growing disconnect between the TMC and Congress, which has been exacerbated by disagreements on multiple fronts, including leadership dynamics within the INDIA bloc.
The Trinamool’s dismissal of the Congress’s concerns comes against the backdrop of strained ties between the two parties. The TMC has kept its distance from Congress-led protests in Parliament over the Gautam Adani bribery case and other contentious issues. Further complicating matters, Mamata Banerjee’s apparent interest in leading the INDIA bloc has deepened the leadership tussle, causing unease among other member parties. This internal competition has made it increasingly challenging for the alliance to maintain its focus on presenting a unified opposition to the BJP.
Adding to the controversy, Omar Abdullah, leader of the National Conference and Congress ally in Jammu & Kashmir, pointed out the contradictions in the Congress's narrative on EVMs. Abdullah, whose party is part of the INDIA bloc, argued that the machines cannot be selectively blamed. “When you get 100 plus MPs using the same EVMs and celebrate that as a victory, you can’t later claim the machines are flawed because results don’t favor you,” he said in an interview with PTI, delivering a pointed critique that highlighted the inconsistency in the Congress’s position. Abdullah’s remarks, widely seen as a subtle jab at the Congress, further underscored the friction among alliance members.
In response, the Congress attempted to clarify its position. The party asserted that its concerns regarding EVMs were raised formally with the Election Commission of India (ECI) and that it had not outright dismissed the machines’ validity. Congress MP Manickam Tagore tweeted, “The Congress CWC resolution clearly addresses the ECI only. Why this approach to our partners after being Chief Minister?” The party also reminded its critics that skepticism about EVMs had been voiced by other INDIA bloc allies, including the Samajwadi Party (SP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Shiv Sena (UBT). However, this defense failed to defuse the controversy, as the debate continued to attract criticism from within and outside the alliance.
The EVM dispute quickly became a political opportunity for the ruling BJP to criticize the opposition bloc and its leadership. BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya took to social media, claiming the remarks by Abdullah and Abhishek Banerjee signaled Congress's growing isolation within the INDIA bloc. “If even Mamata Banerjee’s nephew, who brazenly uses state machinery to win elections, claims EVMs can’t be manipulated, then Congress and Rahul Gandhi are in serious trouble. Their isolation is complete,” Malviya tweeted, adding to the narrative that the opposition lacks coherence.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi echoed this criticism, urging the Congress to stop blaming EVMs for its electoral setbacks. “Even INDIA bloc members like Mamata Banerjee, Sharad Pawar, and Akhilesh Yadav are saying this. The Congress should understand that blaming EVMs won’t help it win elections,” he stated, emphasizing the lack of consensus within the alliance on such a critical issue. Meanwhile, BJP MP Sambit Patra targeted Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, questioning his ability to maintain unity among allies. “Leadership is not earned and not demanded. You have to have the qualities of a leader. You cannot impose yourself,” Patra said, claiming that Congress’s allies are increasingly disillusioned with the Gandhi family’s legacy and approach.
The ongoing debate over EVMs has done more than reveal ideological differences within the INDIA bloc—it has cast a shadow on the alliance’s ability to present a united front ahead of key electoral battles. The differing stances among allies and internal rivalries and leadership disputes have raised doubts about the alliance’s preparedness to challenge the BJP’s dominance effectively. With the BJP capitalizing on these fissures, the INDIA bloc faces an uphill task in not only addressing internal discord but also restoring its credibility as a cohesive alternative to the ruling party.
