Digvijaya Singh says govt needs to explain how federal structure will be maintained over ONOE Bill

Even as the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill is all set to be tabled in the Lok Sabha, after Manish Tewari Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Tuesday said that the government need to explain how federal structure needs to be maintained.

Speaking exclusively to ITV Network Singh, who is also a Rajya Sabha MP said, first let the Bill be brought in Lok Sabha and then will have a look at it.

He explained, “How federal structure will be maintained needs to be looked at. And if the Parliament or any state assembly falls within six months then what will be happen.”

These things need to be seen, Singh said.

When asked about the electronic voting machines (EVMs) issue on which Trinamool Congress and National Conference having differing views in the INDIaq bloc, Singh said, “There are no differences on the EVMs issue. Right now we had moved the no confidence motion against Rajya Sabha chairman on which Trinamool Congress too has signed.”

The Congress leader said that there are some questions from us but the Election Commission does not reply to us and do not provide the machines, then from where we will give proof.

When pressed further, if he feels that the EVMs can be hacked, Singh said, “Wherever there is connectivity, those things can be hacked. And where there are no internet connectivity then what is the software programming, why these issues are not clarified.”

His remarks came a day after Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee too had different opinion on the EVMs.

While speaking to the media in the Lok Sabha, the Trinamool Congress leader said that if the EVM randomisation process is done properly and the booth staff conduct thorough checks during mock polls and counting, then there is no substance to these allegations.

“If still someone feels that EVMs can be hacked, then they should meet the Election Commission and show how EVMs can be hacked,” Banerjee said.

Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and NC leader Omar Abdullah had also rejected Congress’ doubts over the reliability of EVMs.

Abdullah in an interview had pointed out the contradiction in Congress’ stance, stating, “When you get a hundred plus members of Parliament using the same EVMs, and you celebrate that as sort of a victory for your party, you can’t then a few months later turn around and say… we don’t like these EVMs.”

Following the decimating defeat in Maharashtra md Haryana assembly polls, Congress has raised concerns over the reliability of EVMs and has called for a return to paper ballots.

It is worth to be noted that both the Trinamool Congress and the NC are members of the opposition’s Indian National Devrelopmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc led by Congress.