The Congress has clarified that it was not involved in the petition regarding VVPATs that was rejected by the Supreme Court. Jairam Ramesh, a Congress leader, emphasized this point in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comment characterizing the verdict as a "tight slap" on the Opposition.
Ramesh reminded the Prime Minister of a recent Supreme Court ruling that declared the electoral bonds scheme illegal and unconstitutional, calling it a "spanking" for the government. He also urged the Prime Minister to apologize for alleged corruption involving Rs 8,200 crore amassed over five years through various channels.
The Congress has consistently raised concerns about corruption and the electoral bonds scheme, which allowed anonymous donations to political parties. The Supreme Court had struck down this scheme in February, citing its unconstitutionality.
While acknowledging the Supreme Court's rejection of pleas related to VVPATs, the Congress reiterated its support for greater use of VVPATs to enhance public trust in the electoral process. Despite the setback in court, the party remains committed to advocating for electoral transparency and accountability.
In addition to dismissing pleas regarding VVPATs, the Supreme Court also rejected petitions seeking a return to ballot papers in elections. The court emphasized the importance of maintaining trust in the electoral system and cautioned against unwarranted scepticism.
