Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has hit back strongly at Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, over his recent statements raising doubts about the integrity of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Athawale defended the electoral process in India, asserting that questioning the EVMs after electoral losses is nothing more than political opportunism.

“Here elections are conducted through EVM machines, people have the right to bring to power whoever they want,” said Athawale while speaking to the media. He further emphasized that it was the Congress party itself that introduced EVMs during its tenure.

“When they (Congress) got good seats in the Lok Sabha elections, we did not raise questions on EVM, but when we get more seats, then they (Congress) do politics by bringing EVM to the fore and blame the Election Commission,” he added.

Calling out Rahul Gandhi’s recent rhetoric, Athawale accused the Congress leader of trying to “create a threat to democracy.” He also criticized Gandhi’s past remarks made on foreign soil.

“Rahul Gandhi is working to create a threat to democracy and whenever he goes abroad, he makes statements against India which is not right,” Athawale said.

The remarks come amid a renewed push by the Congress to question the fairness of the electoral process, with party leaders hinting at discrepancies and demanding a return to ballot papers. However, the BJP and its allies have rubbished such claims, terming them as excuses for electoral setbacks.

The Election Commission has consistently maintained that EVMs are tamper-proof and secure, and the Supreme Court has upheld their use on multiple occasions.