New Delhi: A day after Congress suffered a crushing defeat in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Monday said that the BJP's victory in the Hindi heartland doesn't reflect people's support but it is an "EVM mandate."
He said that he welcomed the mandate but people still have suspicions in their minds and to remove that, elections should be held once through the ballot.
"Public mandate in four states is out. There is a different mandate in Telangana and different in the other three states. BJP registered a massive victory. The mandate should be welcomed...But we always say - there is suspicion in people's minds that how is this possible, especially in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. So, we say that if there is suspicion, make it go away," he told ANI.
"Have one election on the ballot paper. Just one election - and make the suspicion go away," he added.
The Rajya Sabha member demanded the poll body take cognizance of the people "who have doubts about the authenticity of EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) and the way they function," reported PTI.
Referring to purported remarks on EVMs made by Congress leader Digvijaya Singh at a meeting in the past, Raut said, "He had also expressed his fear that EVMs can be tempered, suggesting that the results cannot be trustworthy."
Interestingly, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar on Sunday said he won't be surprised if some people cry foul and blame EVMs for the assembly polls outcome.
The BJP swept Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh on Sunday whereas Congress won BRS-dominated Telangana.