Chandrababu alleges misuse of electoral bonds, insists on 50% VVPAT count

Team Udayavani, May 18, 2019, 7:54 PM IST

New Delhi: TDP President and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday attacked the Modi government, alleging that there has been misuse of electoral bonds and new Rs 500 and Rs 2000 notes were introduced after demonetisation to “buy votes”.

Naidu, who was speaking at an event here on the eve of the last phase of polling, also stressed that counting of votes in 50 per cent of VVPATs can easily be done even though the Supreme Court has dismissed the petition on the same and ordered checking of VVPAT slips with only five with the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

“What was the purpose behind the removal of old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes? It is very clear, by establishing new Rs 500 and Rs 2000 notes, this can be used to buy votes and people can expect money for each vote especially in the case of postal ballots,” Naidu said.

He was addressing a conclave at the India International Centre where experts and former bureaucrats held discussions on the issue of independence of the Election Commission and electoral process.

Naidu talked elaborately on the misuse of electoral bonds and demonetization, a state government release said.

Electoral bonds were created to assist all political parties in their efforts to raise funds but, Naidu alleged, there is no level playing field and “only some parties are getting these funds and not every party is benefitting from this”.

Irrespective of who wins or loses the election, Naidu said there is a need to ensure full and fair democratic election process.

On VVPATs, the TDP chief said that the Election Commission is not ceding to its demand of counting 50 per cent VVPATs on the grounds that it will delay the entire results by six days.