Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a sharp jab at the Congress party following its dismal performance in the recent Legislative Council (MLC) elections across four major Indian states. The Congress failed to secure a single seat in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Karnataka, prompting Modi to highlight that these elections were conducted using traditional ballot papers, not electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Modi's remarks, shared on social media platform X, come amidst persistent allegations from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other party members, including President Mallikarjun Kharge, of "vote chori" (vote theft) and claims that EVMs benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Kharge has also publicly advocated for a return to paper ballots.
Congress's Setback in Key States
The results delivered a significant blow to the Congress. In Congress-ruled Karnataka, the BJP-JD(S) alliance swept all four seats contested. The BJP retained three constituencies, while the Janata Dal (Secular) successfully wrested the Bengaluru Teachers' seat from the Congress.
Across other states, the trend continued:
- Uttar Pradesh: The BJP secured five seats, with the Samajwadi Party winning three, including the Varanasi Teachers' constituency.
- Bihar: Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party marked its entry into the Legislative Council, alongside victories for the BJP, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and an independent candidate.
- Maharashtra: The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance was leading in three constituencies, while the opposition Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) was ahead in two.
Polling for these 28 graduates' and teachers' constituencies took place on October 23. Unlike general elections, voting in these specific Legislative Council constituencies is restricted to registered graduates and teachers, and ballot papers are traditionally used instead of EVMs.