CM Yogi targets Opposition's 'double standards' on EVM
Synopsis
CM Yogi Adityanath on 10 October 2026 slammed the Opposition for praising their own wins while blaming EVMs for losses, calling it a 'double character' — a sharp political broadside ahead of upcoming state elections.
Key Takeaways
CM Yogi Adityanath posted a video on X on 10 October 2026 attacking the Opposition's inconsistent stance on EVMs.
His post argues rivals claim electoral victories as their own achievement but blame EVM malfunction when they lose.
The Election Commission of India and the Supreme Court have repeatedly upheld the integrity of EVMs after Opposition legal challenges.
The post does not name a specific party or leader but targets a well-established pattern of post-defeat EVM criticism.
The salvo comes ahead of a busy election season, signalling the BJP's intent to make 'EVM hypocrisy' a campaign talking point.
When they win, it is their own brilliance — when they lose, the machine is to blame. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath fired a sharp broadside at the Opposition on Saturday, 10 October 2026, calling out what he described as a glaring double standard in how rival parties treat electoral outcomes.
Posting a video on X, CM Yogi wrote in Hindi: 'Chunav jeetein toh inka purushaarth aur haar jaayein toh EVM ki galti ho gayi...' — loosely translated as, 'If they win an election, it is their own valour; if they lose, the EVM is at fault... Look at their double character.' The post did not name a specific party or leader, but the target was unmistakable given the long-running political battle over Electronic Voting Machines in India.
The EVM blame-game: a recurring political flashpoint
Allegations of EVM tampering have surfaced repeatedly after major electoral defeats — most prominently from several Opposition parties following assembly and general elections over the past decade. The Election Commission of India has consistently defended the integrity of EVMs, noting that the machines are not connected to any network and that multi-party representatives are present at every stage of the counting process. Courts, including the Supreme Court of India, have also upheld the reliability of the system after multiple legal challenges.
The BJP and its leaders have long argued that EVM criticism is selective: the same parties that cry foul after losses have accepted results — and celebrated victories — using the very same machines. CM Yogi's post crystallises that argument into a single, punchy line.
Why this lands now
The timing matters. With several state assembly elections on the horizon in the coming months, the EVM debate is heating up again. By framing the issue as one of 'double character' rather than a technical dispute, CM Yogi is staking out a political narrative ahead of the campaign season — casting the Opposition not merely as wrong on the facts, but as fundamentally inconsistent in principle.
The video attached to the post suggests the message is crafted for wide circulation on social media, where short, quotable political contrasts tend to travel fast. Whether it reshapes the EVM conversation or simply energises the BJP base, the salvo is deliberate and timed.
In Indian electoral politics, controlling the narrative around the legitimacy of the voting process is itself a form of power — and CM Yogi just made his move.
Point of View
The party shifts the burden of proof back onto the Opposition. The timing, with multiple state polls approaching, suggests this is an opening move in a broader narrative campaign. If the Opposition cannot credibly answer the 'you celebrated wins on the same machines' challenge, their EVM critique loses its political traction with ordinary voters.
NationPress
10 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did CM Yogi Adityanath say about EVMs on 10 October 2026?
CM Yogi posted on X that Opposition parties take personal credit when they win elections but blame EVM malfunctions when they lose, calling this a 'double character.'
Are EVMs in India reliable and tamper-proof?
The Election Commission of India maintains that EVMs are standalone, non-networked machines verified by multi-party representatives. The Supreme Court of India has upheld their reliability after multiple legal challenges.
Which parties have raised EVM tampering allegations in India?
Several Opposition parties — across different elections — have alleged EVM tampering after electoral defeats, though the same parties have accepted results when they have won using the same machines.
Why is the EVM debate relevant ahead of 2026 state elections?
With multiple state assembly elections approaching, both the ruling BJP and Opposition parties are shaping narratives around electoral legitimacy, making the EVM question a politically charged talking point once again.
What is CM Yogi Adityanath's role in Indian politics?
Yogi Adityanath is the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, and a senior BJP leader. He also heads the Gorakhnath Math religious institution in Gorakhpur.
