Jasdan: Congress candidate Avsar Nakia who lost by-poll against his ‘Guru’ and rival BJP candidate Kunvarji Bavalia today blamed rigging in electronic voting machines(EVMs) for his defeat. Nakia told this to media persons when he stepped out of the counting hall early, seeing his clear defeat during later stage of counting. Nakia when asked to react why he had received lesser number of vote even in his own district panchayat seat constituency, said he received votes from across communities.

It’s worth noting that Nakia was a Chhakdo rickshaw driver on Jasdan – Vinchhiya route in Rajkot district. He was brought to politics by Kunvarji Bavalia. Both Nakia and Bavaliya were in Congress. Later Bavaliya joined BJP and resigned as MLA. Nakia continued to stay in Congress. Nakia was chosen by Congress as its candidate for Jasdan seat on the last day of filing nominations.

As per the final result, Nakia received 70,283 votes while victorious rival candidate Kunvarji Bavaliya received 90,268 votes. Others and independents received 755, 213, 144, 198, 331 and 993 votes while 2,146 votes went to NOTA. Reacting to Nakia’s claim that EVMs were rigged, winning BJP candidate Kunvarji Bavalia said Congress would blame EVMs wherever it is defeated, while find EVMs fine wherever it is victorious.

It’s worth noting that in recently held five-state election, Congress had found EVMs good in three states where it won, while blamed EVMs for its defeat in one state( Telangana) where it tasted defeat. In contrast, outgoing BJP Chief Ministers Vasundhara Raje (Rajasthan), Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Madhya Pradesh) and Raman Singh (Chhattisgarh) gracefully accepted their defeat. Raje and Chouhan even attended oath taking functions of rivals in healthy spirit.

While Nakia blamed EVMs, State Congress chief Amit Chavda in his tweet said: I thank people of Jasdan for their love & support. We accept our defeat with Humility -We will continue to raise the voice of Farmers& people, in the assembly as well as on the streets.Thanks to all @INCGujarat workers and leaders who worked tirelessly during election campaign.

Leader of Opposition Paresh Dhanani also in his tweets stayed away from claiming EVMs as a reason for party’s defeat.

DeshGujarat