Haryana Congress MLA Accuses BJP of Massive Horse-Trading in Rajya Sabha Elections
Political tensions in Haryana have escalated dramatically following the recent Rajya Sabha elections, with fresh and serious allegations of horse-trading emerging amidst a cross-voting controversy. Congress MLA from Uklana, Naresh Selwal, has publicly claimed that BJP leaders attempted to influence legislators by offering enormous sums of money, sparking a major political storm in the state.
Allegations of Financial Inducements and Pressure Tactics
Speaking to the media at a function in Gajuvala village, Selwal made startling revelations. He alleged that Congress MLAs were targeted with offers of up to Rs 25 crore each to switch their votes. According to Selwal, he personally received such a lucrative offer, highlighting the scale of the alleged corruption. He further stated that legislators faced relentless pressure through repeated phone calls, with some MLAs forced to switch off their phones on the voting day to avoid these coercive attempts.
Cross-Voting and Party Betrayal Claims
On the issue of cross-voting, Selwal expressed disappointment, noting that despite comprehensive training provided by the Congress party, some MLAs voted against the party line. He alleged that authorised party agents witnessed at least five MLAs betraying the party during the voting process. In response, the Congress high command has already issued show-cause notices to these legislators, with strict disciplinary action expected to follow. Selwal also claimed that the votes of four other MLAs were declared invalid, though this detail has not been officially disclosed to the public.
Election Results and Clarifications
Commenting on the election outcomes, Selwal confirmed that Congress candidate Karmveer Bauddh secured 28 votes and was successfully elected. He addressed media reports suggesting that Independent candidate Satish Nandal received 27 votes, dismissing them as misleading. Selwal clarified that, according to electoral rules, the votes for a third candidate in such scenarios are not counted, reinforcing the official results.
Call for Accountability and Future Actions
Selwal reiterated the party's commitment to taking stringent measures against those who violated party discipline. He emphasized that the Congress will not tolerate such betrayals and is prepared to enforce consequences to uphold political integrity. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges of money and influence in Indian politics, particularly in high-stakes elections like those for the Rajya Sabha.
