BJP MP Nishikant Dubey Counters Rahul Gandhi, Says Congress First Introduced EVMs in India

By A Staff Reporter

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi during a Lok Sabha discussion on electoral reforms, challenging the Congress leader’s criticism of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Dubey asserted that the introduction of EVMs in India was, in fact, a Congress initiative, beginning under former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Speaking in the Lower House, the Godda MP said the Congress was contradicting its own legacy by constantly questioning the integrity of EVMs and alleging collusion between the Election Commission and the ruling establishment. “All opposition parties spoke about EVMs. I want to remind the House that EVMs were first introduced by the Congress,” Dubey said.

He noted that Rajiv Gandhi had authorised a pilot project involving EVMs in 1987, marking the beginning of electronic voting in the country. The machines were later expanded for wider use in 1991 under the Narasimha Rao government. Dubey argued that this historical context undermines Rahul Gandhi’s repeated assertions that the electronic voting system is manipulated.