Dipankar Bhattacharya Questions 2024 Election Results
In an exclusive interview with NextMinuteNews, CPI(ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya labeled the recent Lok Sabha election results “inexplicable” and demanded a full investigation into the electoral process. The veteran Left leader raised concerns about anomalies in constituencies where the BJP secured unexpected victories.
“Numbers Don’t Add Up”: Vote Discrepancies Highlighted
Bhattacharya pointed to inconsistencies in voter turnout data, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where the BJP won decisively despite strong anti-incumbency sentiment. “There’s a glaring disconnect between ground reports and official results. Margins of victory defy logic,” he stated.
He cited discrepancies between booth-level observations by opposition parties and the Election Commission’s (EC) final figures. “Our cadres recorded lower turnout, yet the EC reported surges. This demands urgent scrutiny,” he asserted.
Calls for Independent Audit of EVMs & VVPATs
Bhattacharya urged a multi-agency forensic audit of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs). “The EC’s assurances aren’t enough. We need a transparent probe with technical experts and opposition oversight,” he said. He also criticized delays in releasing final turnout data, suggesting it enabled manipulation.
On legal action, he added, “The opposition must approach the Supreme Court. Electoral malpractice cannot go unchallenged in a democracy.”
Money Power, Media Bias, and Institutional Pressure
Beyond EVMs, Bhattacharya blamed “unchecked money power” and “biased media coverage” for skewing results. “The BJP’s financial advantage and propaganda dominance sidelined dissent. Even exit polls seemed orchestrated,” he alleged.
He also condemned the alleged misuse of central agencies like the ED and CBI: “When institutions target opponents, the contest becomes unfair.”
Left’s Roadmap & Opposition Unity Challenges
Despite setbacks, Bhattacharya expressed confidence in CPI(ML)’s grassroots movements in Bihar and Jharkhand. “Our focus remains on workers’ and farmers’ struggles,” he said. However, he admitted the INDIA bloc’s unity was weak: “Without cohesion, defeating the BJP is nearly impossible.”
What’s Next for Election Accountability?
Bhattacharya’s demands amplify growing opposition concerns over electoral integrity. With parties like Congress and TMC echoing calls for probes, pressure mounts on the EC.
Will courts intervene? Can opposition parties unite to challenge results? As debates intensify, Bhattacharya’s push for transparency could redefine Indian democracy’s future.
Stay updated on this story via NextMinuteNews.
