PM Narendra Modi celebrated the Supreme Court’s verdict on Friday, which upheld the integrity of electronic voting machines (EVMs), and considered it a resounding blow to Congress and other opposition parties who had questioned the reliability of Indian elections. At a rally in Bihar, Modi stated that the court’s decision clearly indicated that the era of ballot papers would not return. He accused the opposition of creating doubt in the minds of people regarding EVMs and stated that they were unable to tolerate the empowerment of the poor and honest voters who now have the power of EVMs. Modi further highlighted how, in the past, the poor, Dalits, and backward sections of society used to be deprived of their votes through booth capture by parties like Congress and RJD. However, with the introduction of EVMs, this malpractice has been curtailed. The PM noted that the opposition committed the ‘sin’ of spreading distrust against EVMs due to their inability to continue their old game of vote manipulation. Modi rejoiced in the fact that the Supreme Court’s verdict had shattered the dreams of these parties and asserted that they would no longer be able to hold their heads high. He urged the crowd to repeat slogans in favor of democracy and praised Indian democracy’s recognition by the world. Modi criticized the opposition for defaming EVMs for their vested interests and called for a shift towards issue-based campaigning. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur also applauded the verdict, with Meghwal describing it as ‘fabulous’ and Thakur emphasizing the importance of electoral integrity and constructive dialogue on national issues.