Haryana RS Polls: Fearing defeat, Congress sent MLAs, 32 honorable people imprisoned in Shimla resort

News India Live, Digital Desk: Before the voting for two Rajya Sabha seats of Haryana, the Congress high command has shifted its MLAs to a luxury resort located in Kufri near Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh. Taking a lesson from the crushing defeat due to cross-voting in the last Rajya Sabha elections (2022 and 2016), the party does not want to take any risk this time. Why is Congress scared? (Fear of Cross-Voting) According to the equations of Haryana Assembly, Congress has enough numerical strength to make its candidate win, but the entry of the ‘third player’ has spoiled the game: Threat of Satish Nandal: The presence of BJP-backed independent candidate Satish Nandal has made the contest triangular. There is talk that he is contesting on the strength of disgruntled Congress MLAs. Old ‘ink scandal’ and defeat: In 2016, 14 Congress votes were canceled due to changing of ‘pen ink’, and Ajay Maken’s defeat in 2022 was also due to cross-voting. The party wants to avoid repeating that ‘history’ this time. Excuse of training: Congress MLA Jassi Petwar said that he is going for a “training session” as many MLAs have come for the first time and they want to learn the technical nuances of voting. Tight security of ‘honorables’ in the resort On Friday evening, about 32 MLAs reached Shimla from Chandigarh in two buses. Security arrangements: MLAs were sent to Kufri It has been organized in the ‘Adventure Resort’ of Himachal Pradesh, where there is strict security of Himachal Police and a complete ban has been imposed on the entry of media or outsiders. These stalwarts are also with them: Haryana in-charge BK Hariprasad, State President Rao Narendra Singh and MP Deependra Hooda themselves are monitoring the MLAs. Who did not go? Former CM Bhupendra Singh Hooda, Vinesh Phogat and Chandramohan (due to ill health) are currently in Chandigarh. What do the Assembly figures say? 31 first preference votes are needed to win a seat in the 90-member Haryana Assembly. BJP (48 MLAs): One of their candidates (Sanjay Bhatia) will win easily. Congress (37 MLAs): They have enough votes for their candidate Karmaveer Boudh. Yes, provided no MLA does cross-voting. Independents and others: Satish Nandal will have to make a dent in at least 6-7 Congress votes for his victory.