Major Opposition parties on Friday announced their decision to intensify the protest against the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) with a demonstration planned on August 21 in the city. The Opposition was led by MNS president Raj Thackeray, who didn't contest the Lok Sabha polls this year, held a press conference in the city on Friday. Thackeray recently met Rahul Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to discuss about launching a massive campaign nationwide against the credibility of EVMs. The Opposition wants the Election Commission to go back to the ballot paper system in the state Assembly elections.

Thackeray told the reporters that the Opposition plans to reach out to the voters across the state to seek their opinion on EVMs. "Applications will be filled and their opinion sought," he said. The filled-up applications will then be sent to the Chief Election Officer of Maharashtra, Baldev Singh, who on Thursday said EVMs could not be tampered with and the people should not believe the rumour-mongers.