INLD Leader Accuses Former CM Hooda of Orchestrating Rajya Sabha Cross-Voting in Haryana
Rohtak: Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) chairperson Abhay Singh Chautala launched a scathing attack on Wednesday, directly accusing former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda of masterminding the cross-voting incident that occurred during the recent Rajya Sabha elections in the state assembly. Speaking at a public event in Jhajjar, Chautala presented a detailed narrative alleging a calculated political maneuver rather than spontaneous rebellion by legislators.
Allegations of Coordinated Cross-Voting with Hooda's Consent
Chautala asserted that several Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) who had secured their party tickets with Hooda's explicit backing ultimately cast their votes in favor of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate. He emphasized that this was not an independent act of defiance or rebellion but a carefully coordinated move executed with Hooda's full knowledge and consent. "These legislators did not act on their own accord. They sought and received Hooda's approval before engaging in cross-voting," Chautala claimed during his address.
The INLD leader further hinted that he possesses additional information and would soon unveil more specifics regarding the alleged strategy behind the cross-voting. "This is just the beginning. I will soon reveal the intricate details of how this plan was orchestrated," he stated, suggesting deeper political machinations at play.
References to Past Rajya Sabha Election Involving Deepender Hooda
To substantiate his claims, Chautala referenced a previous Rajya Sabha election involving Deepender Singh Hooda, the son of Bhupinder Singh Hooda. He recalled that during that period, the Congress party held approximately 30 MLAs while he himself was contesting as an independent candidate. Chautala alleged that Hooda senior ensured the BJP did not field a second candidate, thereby creating a smoother path to victory for his son.
"At that time, if the BJP had nominated a candidate, the election dynamics would have shifted dramatically. However, Hooda ensured such a scenario did not materialize," Chautala explained. He also pointed to the denial of a ticket to Congress leader Kumari Selja during that election cycle, which reportedly fostered significant resentment among her supporters. According to Chautala, this historical context is crucial for understanding the current political landscape.
Accusations of Political Revenge and Anti-Dalit Stance
Continuing his vehement criticism, Chautala alleged that Hooda's actions in the recent Rajya Sabha election were primarily motivated by a desire to settle old political scores. He claimed that Hooda facilitated votes from his own party MLAs in favor of the BJP-backed candidate as an explicit act of "revenge" against certain factions within the Congress party.
Furthermore, Chautala accused Hooda of displaying an anti-Dalit stance, particularly noting that Hooda was not supportive of Congress-backed candidate Karamveer Boudh, who was fielded with the endorsement of Rahul Gandhi. To bolster this allegation, Chautala cited past incidents involving other Dalit leaders such as Ashok Tanwar and Kumari Selja, suggesting a pattern of behavior. "His actions speak volumes about his disregard for Dalit leadership within the party," Chautala asserted.
The allegations have stirred the political atmosphere in Haryana, raising questions about internal party dynamics and cross-party influences. As Chautala promises to disclose more evidence, the political discourse is expected to intensify, with potential implications for upcoming electoral strategies and alliances in the state.
