Sharad Pawar reiterates EVMs can be manipulated

KOLHAPUR

: Former Union minister Sharad Pawar has once again expressed doubts over the performance of EVMs, saying that the units can be manipulated.


Speaking to reporters in Satara on Thursday, the NCP founder said he attended a demonstration by experts from Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh before the elections and saw votes going to the BJP. "I pushed the clock button but the vote went to lotus," Pawar said, adding that he was not saying that all EVMs were faulty, but some might have been manipulated.

On PM Narendra Modi's remarks on former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Pawar said he disapproved of the remarks. "The Gandhi family has made great sacrifices for the country. Modi should be more careful making comments on the family. His remarks are unfortunate".

About the allegation by Modi against Rajiv Gandhi for using the Indian warship for holiday, Pawar said he did not find anything objectionable. "I was the defence minister and had gone to the Andaman by a warship. Warships are consistently moving in the sea. What is objectionable if a Prime Minister uses it," he asked. "Leaders can understand and study the happenings on warships."

Answering a question on the post-election scenario, Pawar said that all opposition parties would meet immediately after the

Lok Sabha

election results are declared to chalk out a plan. "It is not important for me which state will get PM's post. All that we want is change in power and we will act accordingly," he said.

The NCP chief said getting adequate number of seats to form the government is more important and that all the parties should be brought together.

Pawar said the political situation was in favour of non-BJP parties and that the Congress-NCP alliance would get more seats in Maharashtra.

( With inputs from Atul Deshpande )