Mahayuti slams ‘double standards’ over EVM

Top leaders of ruling combine react sharply to Sharad Pawar's decision to back Markadwadi's demands

- Kalpesh Mhamunkar

The BJP and Shinde Sena have reacted sharply to NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar's visit to the Markadwadi village in Solapur district, which questioned the credibility of EVMs and tried to conduct a mock "repoll" using ballot papers.

Pawar on Sunday visited Markadwadi and hailed the villagers for "showing the right direction to the whole country". Hitting back, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde asked why the EVMs are blamed only when the opposition loses. "You won in Jharkhand and Karnataka and also performed well in the recent Lok Sabha elections. Even Priyanka Gandhi won from Wayanad. The EVMs are reliable when you win then why are they suddenly faulty when you lose. This double standard is clear," said Shinde.