The state cabinet’s decision to scrap electronic voting machines (EVMs) and revert to ballot papers in the upcoming local body elections has triggered a stormy political fight in Karnataka, with the BJP mounting a scathing attack on the Congress government.
The saffron party has described the move as “pointless, regressive, and dangerous for democracy,” alleging that the Congress is attempting to subvert the electoral process to safeguard its high command.
“Selling the conscience of democracy”
BJP Leader R. Ashok was among the first to slam the decision, accusing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar of trading constitutional values for political survival. Taking to social media, Ashok charged:
“CM Siddaramaiah and DCM DK Shivakumar, who want to be remembered as constitutionalists and democrats, do you want to sell your conscience for the sake of high command slavery and power and get labelled as self-deceitful?”
🗳️ Balllot Paper= Bogus Voting
ಬ್ಯಾಲೆಟ್ ಪೇಪರ್ = ಬೋಗಸ್ ವೋಟಿಂಗ್🗳️Ballot Paper = Booth Capturing
ಬ್ಯಾಲೆಟ್ ಪೇಪರ್ = ಬೂತ್ ಕ್ಯಾಪ್ಚರಿಂಗ್ಹ್ಯಾಟ್ರಿಕ್ ಝೀರೋ @RahulGandhi
ಅವರ ನೇತೃತ್ವದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ನೆಲಕಚ್ಚಿರುವ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಪಕ್ಷ, ರಾಹುಲ್ ಗಾಂಧಿ ಅವರನ್ನು ರಕ್ಷಿಸಲು, ಚುನಾವಣಾ ಆಯೋಗದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ, ಚುನಾವಣಾ… pic.twitter.com/EQivywBZ3w— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) September 7, 2025
He argued that ballot papers are synonymous with booth capturing and bogus voting, warning that Congress was trying to plant doubts about India’s robust election machinery.
“Ballot paper equals bogus voting. Ballot paper equals booth capturing. The Congress party, which has completely collapsed under the leadership of ‘Hattrick Zero’ Rahul Gandhi, is desperately trying to protect him by questioning the Election Commission, the voting machines, and the democratic process itself. But the intelligent voters of India have rejected these gimmicks time and again,” Ashok said.
“Decision to protect one family”
Ashok further alleged that the Congress government was dismantling India’s democratic credibility just to serve the interests of his first family.
“This cabinet’s decision is not for the people, not for democracy. It is a shameful move to prioritise the protection and justification of one person or one family. In 2004, UPA-1 came to power through EVMs. In 2009, the UPA-2 came to power through EVMs. Siddaramaiah himself became Chief Minister twice in 2013 and 2023, using the same machines. Now suddenly, when defeat stares them in the face, they say EVMs are untrustworthy. Do they want to return to the Obi Raya era of wooden ballot boxes?” he asked. Ashok accused the Congress of lowering its dignity to curry favour with the Gandhi family.
“Who did you make this decision to please? Why do you reduce your own stature before the people of Karnataka by showing that you will go to any extent to please Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi? This is nothing but political cowardice,” he said.
Vijayendra: “Height of stupidity”
Echoing Ashok’s attack, BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra ridiculed the government’s reversal to ballot papers, calling it the “height of stupidity.” Addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Vijayendra said:
“The Congress has won elections using EVMs. Siddaramaiah became Chief Minister through EVMs. The party has formed governments in Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka itself using EVMs. If there was a problem with machines, how did they come to power in these states? The truth is Rahul Gandhi cannot accept his repeated defeats in the Lok Sabha elections, and the Siddaramaiah government is dancing to his tune.” He added that the BJP had no fear of ballot papers.
“We are not afraid of ballot papers. We have won three times in a row because the people of this country stand with PM Modi. While Modi ji is trying to bring reforms like ‘One Nation, One Election’ to save time and money, the Congress government here wants to take democracy back to the ancient times of chaos and booth capturing,” Vijayendra remarked.
The BJP has warned that reverting to ballot papers would not only undermine confidence in the electoral process but also open doors to malpractice.
Senior leaders noted that ballot-based elections in the past had been marred by booth capturing, rigging, and violence. EVMs, they argued, brought transparency, efficiency, and credibility to Indian elections.
“To win elections, Congress should win the trust of the people, not attack the system. You cannot insult democracy, the voters, and the Constitution itself by blaming the machines when you lose and celebrating them when you win,” Ashok said, reiterating his stance.
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