The recently concluded elections for two Rajya Sabha seats in the Haryana Assembly have created a political stir. While Congress narrowly won one seat, allegations of cross-voting have exposed internal discord within the party. Five Congress MLAs have been accused of cross-voting against the party candidate, due to which the party has started preparing for disciplinary action.
Rajya Sabha elections were held on March 16, in which voting was held for two seats. Despite Congress having 37 MLAs, party candidate Karmaveer Singh Boudh got only 28 votes, which was the minimum required number for victory. Five Congress MLAs cross-voted, while four Congress votes and one BJP vote were declared invalid. Due to this, Congress won by a very small margin and BJP won one seat easily.
Also read: KC Tyagi resigns from JDU the next day after Nitish’s victory, pain expressed in the letter
Names of four MLAs
Haryana Congress in-charge B.K. Hariprasad held a press conference in Delhi and made public the names of four MLAs who did cross voting. These include Shaili Chaudhary from Narayangarh, Mohammad Ilyas from Punhana, Mohammad Israel from Hathin and Renu Bala from Sadhaura. He said that out of 36 votes of the party, 5-6 were invalid and some MLAs did cross voting. The disciplinary committee of the party will send the report, on the basis of which the All India Congress Committee will take strict action. Show cause notices have been issued to these MLAs, who will have to reply within seven days.
Discussion on Shaili Chaudhary’s name
Among the MLAs who have been accused of cross voting, the most talked about is Narayangarh MLA Shaili Chaudhary. He has made an emotional appeal denying the allegations. Shaili said, ‘You can see who is being implicated and who is being saved. The votes of nine people were invalidated and we are being specifically targeted. My husband has been deeply hurt and our entire family has been affected.
He further said that his family has been associated with Congress for a long time. Father-in-law, husband and now herself are active in politics. He said, ‘We have always worked for the party, today wrongful allegations are being made.’ Shaili had earlier also termed the allegations as baseless and in some reports, on the demand for his resignation, he said that the decision will be taken by his people.
factionalism in haryana
This incident is further deepening the already ongoing factionalism in Haryana Congress. Former Chief Minister Bhupendra Singh Hooda has also submitted the names of nine MLAs to the high command on cross voting and invalid votes. According to party sources, cross-voting raised questions over Congress’s victory and the BJP accused it of ‘vote theft’. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini targeted Congress.
Also read: After Rajya Sabha elections, earthquake in Bihar Congress, action of 3 MLAs created stir
Congress will take action
Congress made it clear that strict action will be taken against MLAs found guilty, as happened in Odisha. This matter is raising questions on the unity of the party, especially before the upcoming elections. The emotional defense of MLAs like Shaili Chaudhary could lead to a new controversy in the party.
Comments are closed.