Haryana Congress Accuses BJP of Bribing MLAs Ahead of High-Stakes Rajya Sabha Polls
Chandigarh: In a dramatic escalation of political tensions, the Haryana Congress on Sunday leveled serious accusations against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging attempts to poach its legislators through bribery offers. This controversy unfolds just ahead of Monday's critical contest for two Rajya Sabha seats from the state, which has transformed into a fiercely competitive three-way battle.
Congress Moves to File Criminal Complaints in Shimla
Congress functionaries revealed that they have directed their party members to approach police authorities in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, to initiate criminal proceedings against senior BJP leaders. This action aims to probe the alleged source of money offered as bribes to Congress MLAs. "We asked our MLAs to lodge a formal complaint... for investigating the origin of the funds proposed as bribes," stated BK Hariprasad, the All India Congress Committee general secretary in-charge of Haryana.
However, Shimla Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh clarified that neither his office nor any subordinate staff had received any such complaint at the time of reporting, casting a shadow over the immediacy of these allegations.
BJP Dismisses Allegations as Baseless and Reflects Internal Distrust
The BJP, which commands a dominant position in the 90-member Haryana Legislative Assembly with 48 seats—further strengthened by support from three independent allies—categorically denied the charges. Party officials characterized the accusations as a manifestation of internal distrust within the Congress ranks. "We possess more than sufficient numbers to ensure victory. Therefore, why would our leaders approach Congress MLAs?" questioned Haryana BJP president Mohan Lal Badoli, emphasizing the party's confidence in its electoral arithmetic.
Congress MLAs Relocated Amid Tight Security Measures
In a strategic move, the 31 Congress MLAs, who had been camping at two resorts in Kufri near Shimla since March 13, were shifted to Kasauli in Solan district under heightened security during the afternoon. These legislators were en route back to Chandigarh as of the latest reports, underscoring the intense efforts to insulate lawmakers from potential cross-voting risks in the upcoming election.
Three-Way Contest Injects Uncertainty into Rajya Sabha Arithmetic
The polls, scheduled from 9 am to 4 pm at the state assembly committee room, feature three candidates: BJP's Sanjay Bhatia, Congress nominee Karamveer Baudh, and independent Satish Nandal, who is backed by a coalition of BJP and independent legislators. While the BJP and Congress theoretically hold enough votes to secure one seat each comfortably, Nandal's entry has introduced significant uncertainty into the electoral calculations.
Under the open ballot system, MLAs are required to display their votes to a party agent, yet they are not legally bound by party whips, adding a layer of complexity to the proceedings.
High Stakes for Congress Amid Past Electoral Setbacks
The stakes are exceptionally high for the Congress party, which has endured embarrassing defeats in previous Rajya Sabha elections despite holding the necessary numerical strength. This history amplifies the pressure on the party to secure a victory in Monday's contest.
Nevertheless, Leader of Opposition and Congress Legislative Party leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda expressed optimism on Sunday, asserting, "Our candidate will achieve a clear victory. It is up to the BJP to decide whom it wishes to send to the Rajya Sabha, as it has fielded two candidates." The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) holds two MLAs in the 90-member House, further influencing the delicate balance of power.
As the political drama intensifies, all eyes are on Chandigarh, where the outcome of this high-stakes Rajya Sabha election could reshape the state's political landscape and test the resilience of party alliances in Haryana.
