Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 13 : Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Sunil Tatkare on Tuesday defended the Election Commission amid the INDIA bloc’s protest in Delhi over alleged electoral roll irregularities, saying that differences of opinion did not justify expressing distrust in an autonomous institution. 
“The Election Commission is an autonomous institution. There can be differences of opinion, but that does not mean expressing distrust in an autonomous institution.
Referring to the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the outcomes of previous elections, Tatkare said criticism of the poll process had intensified after the Mahayuti’s success in the Maharashtra Assembly elections.
“Elections in 2009 were held using EVMs, and they were considered acceptable at the time. The Maha Vikas Aghadi performed well in the Lok Sabha elections, but criticism began when the Mahayuti achieved success in the Assembly elections," he said. 
“Such a stand is not conducive to democracy," he added.
He also alleged that if external forces are trying to destabilise the country, the Central Government must take the necessary stand. He also alleged this is the first time he is seeing a demand to meet the CJI. 
On drought relief, Tatkare said the Central Government was sensitive to the situation and that a central team had recently visited the affected areas.
Comparing the conditions with the devastating drought of 1972, he pointed out that wells had already dried up in October and expressed concern over the situation in Konkan and other parts of Maharashtra.
“The Central Government is sensitive to the issue. A central team recently visited the affected areas. The situation reminds me of the devastating drought of 1972. Wells have already dried up in October. If such a situation prevails in Konkan, one can imagine the condition in other parts of the state,” Tatkare said.