BJP-wary Cong workers guard bypoll strongroom

The bypoll to Ratlam Lok Sabha seat may have got over but for the Congress supporters in three districts falling under the constituency, the job is far from over.

Since the by-election got over on Saturday, a team of two dozen office-bearers of the Congress from the three districts of Ratlam, Jhabua and Alirazpur have been guarding the foolproof strongroom where the EVMs are kept.

The Congress fears that the ruling BJP might misuse the administrative machinery and tamper with the EVMs.

“We did not want to know what foolproof arrangements the administration has made in the strongrooms. Over two-dozen party workers are keeping a vigil on the strongrooms in my parliamentary seat. Since yesterday, my party workers are keeping a close vigil on the strongroom in Ratlam parliamentary seat by turn. Today, I'm planning to pay a surprise visit to one of the strongrooms,” Kantilal Bhuriya, the Congress candidate at Ratlam told Deccan Herald over telephone.

Office-bearers and party leaders of the three district units of the Congress party are spending eight hours outside the strongrooms by turn.

The entire process starting from sealing the EVMs to depositing them in the strongroom has been videographed. The entry near the strong rooms are also restricted till Tuesday, the day of counting.

The result of the bypoll in Dewas Assembly seat in the state will also be declared on that day.

While the bypoll for Ratlam Lok Sabha seat became necessary following the death of BJP MP Dilip Singh Bhuriya, the Dewas Assembly seat fell vacant.