Stating that the time has come to unseat Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said at Amaravati on Wednesday that the members of the Mahakootami (Grand Alliance) will meet on May 21 to decide on a PM candidate.
He took exception to Modi’s remark that “they (the opposition leaders) are ready with new clothes for the PM’s post and will be forced to tear those after May 23.” He said the remark was in bad taste.
Debate on EVMs
Interacting with the media, the Chief Minister said there was need for a countrywide debate on EVMs. “People have several doubts over the functioning of EVMs. And 50 per cent of VVPATs should be counted,” he said.
He accused the Election Commission of being partisan, and the Chief Ministers supporting him — K Chandrasekhara Rao of Telangana — were getting away with the most blatant violations of the Model Code of Conduct, he alleged.
Discharging duties
Chandrababu Naidu felt the opposition Chief Ministers were not even being allowed to discharge their normal duties.
He said the role of the EC should be limited to conducting free and fair elections only and it should not be allowed to usurp the powers of the State government.
He also dismissed the argument that the counting of VVPATs is cumbersome and time-consuming.
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