Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam national president N Chandrababu Naidu today said there was 100 per cent chance for hacking Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Chairing a Telugu Desam MPs’ meeting at Undavalli near Vijyawada, Chandrababu asked them to oppose the use of the EVMs in future polls. He criticized that injustice was done to the State during four-and-a-half years and the Center was ignoring to keep its bifurcation promises. He expressed his displeasure at the Center for denying funds for seven backward districts and release of funds as per Niti Ayog recommendations. He also directed the MPs to raise their voice in forthcoming budget session in Parliament and mount pressure on the Center on bifurcation promises. Chandrababu took exception to the Election Commission, which was a referee and cannot deny the majority decision of the parties opposing the use of the EVMs.
“Let us fight for 100 per cent counting of VVPATs after the polls and oppose the EVMs use in future LS Polls and the Center was remaining silent on the issue. The TD MPs should fight for using the ballot papers in place of EVMs in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and press the Center for vote on account budget”. Naidu charged that to benefit Gujarat, the Center incurred losses to the ONGC and destabilized nine Navarathna companies, caused losses to the industrialists and banks became bankrupt. The Center has failed to develop the nation and creating a panic like situation across the nation, he charged.
The AP CM sought to know as to why the Center denied Rs 24,350 crore recommended by Niti Ayog and took back Rs 350 crore meant for developing seven backward districts. The Centre gave only Rs 1050 crore as against Rs 24350 crore sought in four-and-a-half years. The Center is to return the money for backward districts and there is no reason as to why it denied funds and stopped giving Rs 700 crore for their development in two years. However, the Center gave Rs 450 crore for nine districts of Telangana State.
Stating that the State government has spent Rs 10,499 crore on Polavaram project, he said the Center was still to reimburse Rs 3,722 crore. Polavaram project bills were not paid for four weeks. He also alleged that the Center was not responding to our DPRs for Rs 57,940 crore, Rs 1,000 crore funds for capital city development and drainage funds for Vijayawada and Guntur. (NSS)
