Koppal: Former chief minister and MP Jagadish Shettar on Thursday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of failing to provide evidence supporting his allegations over electronic voting machines, electoral roll revision and alleged ‘vote theft’.Addressing a news conference at the district BJP office ahead of the legislative council elections, Shettar also accused Gandhi of making baseless allegations against chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.Shettar said EVM use began in 1982 and Congress had introduced legislation relating to the machines. Congress won the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, the first conducted using EVMs, and several subsequent elections, he said.He alleged that criticism of EVMs intensified after NDA began winning elections in 2014.Shettar said objections to electoral roll entries could be submitted through Form 7, but filing an objection did not automatically lead to deletion of votes. Despite a transparent electoral system, Congress leaders were unwilling to accept it, he alleged.He described Rahul Gandhi as an ‘immature leader’ and warned that continuing with such an approach could eventually create problems for him. Shettar claimed Gandhi had faced defeat in 99% of his political contests and said Congress would not return to power while he remained at its helm.Shettar also backed Shashil Namoshi, saying he had a favourable opinion of the four-time elected representative, who was contesting the legislative council elections as an NDA candidate.
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