Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of manipulating electronic voting machines (EVMs) to ensure Chandra Shekhar Aazad’s victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Nagina, Uttar Pradesh.
Speaking ahead of the 2027 UP Assembly polls, Mayawati reiterated her party’s long‑standing opposition to EVMs and renewed her demand for a return to ballot paper voting. She claimed that the BJP’s alleged interference undermined the democratic process and eroded public trust in elections.
In 2024, Aazad, chief of the Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram), defeated BJP candidate Om Kumar by a margin of 1.51 lakh votes, while the BSP’s Surendra Pal Singh finished fourth with just 1.33% of the vote share.
Mayawati argued that the BSP has consistently opposed EVMs, citing concerns over transparency and credibility. Her remarks come as political parties gear up for the high‑stakes 2027 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.
Meanwhile, Aazad defended his win, insisting that the result reflected the voters’ mandate and dismissing allegations of manipulation. The controversy highlights the ongoing debate over India’s electoral system, with ballot papers once again being pushed as an alternative by opposition leaders.
