Political bankruptcy: Karnataka BJP's big attack as government ditches EVMs Karnataka's opposition leader R Ashoka lambasted the Congress for choosing ballot papers over EVMs in the upcoming local elections. He accused the party of political insecurity and trying to manipulate the polls. AdvertisementKarnataka BJP leader R Ashoka (X/@RAshokaBJP)India Today News DeskNew Delhi,UPDATED: Jan 21, 2026 07:55 ISTWritten By: Devika BhattacharyaKarnataka’s Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka attacked the Congress government over its decision to conduct upcoming civic and local body elections using ballot papers, calling the move a sign of the ruling party’s “political bankruptcy.”Ashoka alleged the decision to forgo electronic voting machines (EVMs) reflected insecurity within the Congress, and insinuated that it was trying to game the elections because it fears the people’s verdict. advertisement“Even after their own government’s survey confirmed that people trust EVMs, the INC Karnataka government has chosen to push elections back to paper ballots. This is not about reform or fairness — this is about fear and political insecurity,” Ashoka said in an X post on Tuesday.
