Congress Accuses BJP of 'Vote Chori' and 'Murdering Democracy' in Haryana Rajya Sabha Polls
The Congress party on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of attempting "vote chori" and "murdering democracy" during the Haryana Rajya Sabha elections. This accusation came hours after a dramatic and closely watched contest ended past midnight, with the BJP and Congress each securing one seat. The election was marred by allegations of vote secrecy violations, invalidated ballots, and cross-voting, which roiled the entire process.
Election Results and Narrow Contest
BJP candidate Sanjay Bhatia, a former Lok Sabha MP from Karnal, won the first seat comfortably with 39 first-preference votes. Congress candidate Karamvir Singh Boudh, a retired Haryana government employee and prominent Dalit activist currently serving as the coordinator of the Congress's National Scheduled Castes Department, secured the second seat with 28 votes. Independent candidate Satish Nandal polled 16 votes, making it a narrow contest for the second seat after cross-voting dented what had otherwise been a comfortable arithmetic for the Congress.
Under the Rajya Sabha election formula, the quota required to win one seat was 2,767 vote value, and both Bhatia and Boudh crossed that mark, leaving no room for further transfer of votes. This outcome highlighted the intense competition and political maneuvering involved.
Congress Alleges Unethical Tactics and Bias
Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda congratulated the party leadership and hailed Boudh's win but launched a blistering attack on the BJP over the conduct of the poll. "In Haryana, under the cover of darkness at night, the BJP tried to murder democracy and indulge in vote chori," Hooda alleged, according to PTI. He claimed the BJP had "no faith in democracy" and only wanted to "seize power," but said Congress MLAs and workers stayed vigilant to ensure victory for Boudh, whom he described as a champion of social justice.
Hooda further alleged that the BJP resorted to "every possible tactic," including encouraging cross-voting and horse-trading. He claimed that when these efforts did not succeed, the BJP "activated its B-team INLD," alleging that the Indian National Lok Dal did not clarify its stand until polling day. "When more than 30 votes had already been cast in favour of the Congress, INLD fled from voting," Hooda said.
He also accused the BJP of influencing the Election Commission and alleged bias by the Returning Officer. "The Returning Officer showed bias and cancelled our four votes, even though all of them were valid. This was done after another election official had already placed the same votes in the valid tray. This shows that the BJP was indulging in 'vote chori' in the Rajya Sabha elections," Hooda asserted, adding that the invalidated votes were actually valid and that this outcome represented a "victory of democracy."
Congress Admits Cross-Voting, Vows Strict Action
Even while attacking the BJP, the Congress acknowledged that some of its MLAs had engaged in cross-voting. Hooda warned that action would be taken against those legislators. "Those of our MLAs who have sold their conscience and integrity—not just them, but even their next generations will be held accountable by the people of Haryana. The Congress Party is going to take the strictest possible action against those MLAs," he declared. He emphasized that the public would not forgive these MLAs, while those who remained loyal to the party despite temptations and pressures had earned greater respect.
Election Twists and Invalid Votes
The election saw several twists, including two legislators of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) abstaining from voting, which reduced the number of valid votes to 88 in the 90-member Haryana Assembly at the start of polling. INLD leaders Abhay Singh Chautala and Aditya Devi Lal stated that the party decided to abstain "keeping people's sentiments in view." Later, five votes were declared invalid—four from the Congress and one from the BJP, according to officials.
After both parties approached the Election Commission alleging violation of vote secrecy, the poll body declared Congress MLA Paramvir Singh's vote invalid. This invalidation of ballots became a major flashpoint, with Congress alleging selective targeting and procedural bias.
Boudh's Victory and Political Significance
Congress winner Karamvir Singh Boudh questioned the cancellation of votes after his victory, stating, "Votes were illegally cancelled, but I received the blessings of the Congress party and the people. I received love from the Congress's top leadership." Congress leaders projected his win as politically significant, especially after BJP leaders had dismissed him as a "weak candidate." Hooda described the result as a "victory of the Constitution" and a befitting response to critics.
Congress Scheduled Castes Department chief Rajendra Pal Gautam, who accompanied Hooda at the press conference, expressed delight that the party had nominated "a true Ambedkarite" for the Rajya Sabha, as reported by PTI.
Assembly Walkout and BJP's Response
The Rajya Sabha result spilled into the Haryana Assembly on Tuesday, with Congress MLAs staging a walkout, alleging that democratic values were being undermined. Congress MLA Geeta Bhukkal claimed the House had turned into a "market where things are bought and sold" and alleged that ministers had openly admitted to "buying" MLAs. "The Constitution has been strangled, and that is why we are boycotting," she said, as quoted by ANI.
The BJP, however, rejected the Congress's allegations. BJP winner Sanjay Bhatia said the Congress was upset because its own legislators had not stayed united. "Congress's responsibility was to unite its workers and MLAs, now they are putting allegations on us for the cross-votes of their own workers, which is not right," Bhatia stated. Haryana minister Mahipal Dhanda also dismissed the Congress charge, saying the Independent candidate had every right to seek votes and alleging that the Congress had "held their workers hostage."
Narrow Escape for Congress and Internal Crisis
With five Congress MLAs allegedly cross-voting, Independent candidate Satish Nandal could have potentially matched Boudh's tally if he had also secured BJP candidate Bhatia's 11 second-preference votes and if one more Congress MLA had cross-voted in his favour. This arithmetic underlined just how close the Congress came to losing a seat it was expected to win comfortably.
In the end, despite cross-voting, invalid ballots, and bitter allegations of horse-trading, the Congress managed to secure one of the two seats. However, the result has opened a fresh internal crisis over dissident MLAs and fuels a new political battle with the BJP over the conduct of the poll, setting the stage for further confrontations in Haryana's political landscape.
