The BJP after being “caught red-handed”, following recovery of EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) from the vehicle of the party’s candidate in Patharkandi constituency, has started to spill “lame excuses” to defend itself.

The BJP leadership in Assam has given “goodwill gesture” excuse to shield itself in the full blown controversy.

The BJP has claimed that it was just a “goodwill gesture” by the leaders of the saffron party in Assam to provide ‘lift’ to the election officials and transport the polled EVMs to the strong room.

BJP’s Lok Sabha MP from Silchar – Dr Rajdeep Roy said, “The candidate’s brother was helping election officials stranded on a stretch of road from Nilambazar to Karimganj in Assam.”

Also read: Assam: Congress launches all-out attack on BJP over EVMs recovery from saffron party’s MLA vehicle

A full-blown war of words has erupted between the Congress and the BJP following the recovery of EVMs from the vehicle of the saffron party’s candidate in Assam’s Patharkandi – Krishnendu Paul.

While, the BJP is finding difficult to defend itself on the matter, the Congress has launched an all-out attack on the saffron brigade.

Top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressing his views in the matter said that “democracy is facing a tough time”.

“EC’s vehicle broke down. BJP’s intensions not good. Democracy facing tough time,” Rahul Gandhi tweeted in Hindi.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has suspended four polling officials deputed in Assam’s Karimganj district after they were found transporting an EVM in the BJP MLA’s vehicle.

The ECI has also ordered re-polling in the booth of Ratabari LAC from where the EVMs were transported, and an FIR is likely to be filed in the case.