National politics is heating up over transparency in election management. The ‘vote theft’ issue raised by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha has filled the opposition India alliance with enthusiasm. Leaders of various political parties have now come together, forgetting the past. Be it Mamata or Akhilesh or Pawar, the opposition is now united over issues like vote-theft and SIR. Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has also raised the issue of vote-rigging in Odisha. However, the question arises whether BJD will raise the issue vigorously in the state like the opposition alliance in the country. One wonders if its utterances will remain confined to press meets only.
BJD’s vote discrepancy allegation
While national politics is getting charged over vote-rigging, BJD has again raised questions about transparency in election management. The regional party had sought information from the Election Commission regarding alleged discrepancies during the last elections eight months ago. However, no satisfactory answer has been received so far. Therefore, BJD leaders have said that the party will approach the High Court regarding the matter. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has asked BJD leaders to appear on the August 19 with information related to the complaint.
What is BJD’s allegation?
The BJD is alleging that the number of votes counted during the last Lok Sabha and Assembly elections was more than the number of votes cast in the EVMs in all the parliamentary constituencies of the state. Similarly, the party claimed that there is a difference between the total number of votes cast in the parliamentary constituency and the total number of votes cast in the assembly coming under it. This apart, it was claimed that 7 to 30 per cent of the votes were cast after the election period ended. In December last year, the BJD had filed a complaint in this regard and sought a reply. It also asked for an audit of the entire process from the preparation of the voucher list to the counting of votes.
Just a grievance or a campaign to be launched?
Rahul Gandhi has raised the issue of vote theft and made serious allegations against the Election Commission. After that, the Congress has started a web page on vote rigging. The entire opposition alliance, including the Congress, is aiming to launch a mass movement by creating political pressure on the issue of vote theft. The BJD has also raised the issue in the state. Questions have been raised about transparency in the Election Commission’s poll management. However, the BJD is yet to launch a mass movement over the issue. Earlier too, BJD leaders have remained silent after making allegations in press conferences. When the issue is hot in national politics, the question arises, will the BJD make voting rigging a major issue?
While in power in the state for 24 years, the BJD opposed the BJP in the state but supported the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. Even after taking the opposition seat, the regional party threw a googly on Waqf issue. While the opposition is vigorously raising the vote theft issue in Delhi, the BJD has maintained a safe distance. In such a situation, one wonders as to how far the BJD take the issue of vote rigging forward. It is also to be seen as to who the regional party supports in the upcoming Vice-Presidential elections.
