Congress Takes Disciplinary Action Against Five Haryana MLAs Over Rajya Sabha Cross-Voting
Chandigarh: In a significant political development, the Congress disciplinary committee has formally identified and issued show-cause notices to five of its legislators from Haryana for alleged cross-voting during the recent Rajya Sabha elections. The action, announced on Friday, targets MLAs accused of engaging in anti-party activities, with Jarnail Singh, the MLA from Ratia (reserve) assembly constituency, being named as the fifth individual involved.
Unraveling the Cross-Voting Scandal
The controversy erupted after the Rajya Sabha elections held earlier this week, where suspicions arose regarding the loyalty of certain Congress MLAs. For the past three days, there was intense speculation surrounding the identity of the fifth MLA who cross-voted against the party's official candidate, Karamveer Singh Baudh. The group of five includes two women legislators, described as close confidants of former Union minister and Sirsa MP Selja, while the remaining three are said to be loyalists of former Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda.
Reacting to the situation, AICC general secretary in charge B K Hariprasad stated that the party had already lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India. He alleged that the votes were declared invalid as part of a larger conspiracy to undermine the Congress's efforts. Echoing this sentiment, Jitender Baghel, AICC co-in charge for Haryana, affirmed that disciplinary measures against the five defaulter MLAs would proceed without delay.
Legal Immunity and Political Ramifications
Interestingly, despite the show-cause notices, the five Congress MLAs continue to enjoy protection under the anti-defection law, which prevents their immediate dismissal from the legislative assembly. Experts in assembly affairs have confirmed that, even if the party takes action, these MLAs will retain their membership. However, they may be reclassified as dissociate members, granting them a separate identity within the House while allowing them to serve out their full terms.
Notably, the cross-voting allegations stem from the elections for two Haryana seats in the Rajya Sabha, where five MLAs are accused of voting against Karamveer Singh Baudh. Additionally, the votes of four other Congress MLAs were declared invalid during the process, further complicating the party's internal dynamics.
Details of the Accused MLAs
The four other MLAs who have been served notices by the party high command include:
- Shalley Chaudhary, wife of former Congress working president Ram Kishan Gujjar, representing the Naraingarh assembly constituency.
- Renu Bala, who represents the Sadhaura (reserve) constituency.
- Mohammad Illiyas and Mohammad Israel, representing the Punhana and Hathin assembly constituencies, respectively.
In the election outcome, Karamveer Baudh and Sanjay Bhatia were declared elected as Rajya Sabha MPs for six-year terms starting this May. A total of three candidates contested, with Satish Nandal, a BJP-supported independent, narrowly missing out after a closely fought battle against Baudh. The invalidation of one BJP MLA's vote and the INLD's decision to abstain from the elections reportedly hindered Nandal's prospects.
Leadership Response and Expert Analysis
When contacted, Congress legislature party leader Bhupinder Hooda confirmed that action had been initiated against the five MLAs. He emphasized, "Our disciplinary committee is actively addressing this matter. Regarding the invalid votes, all 32 of our votes were in order, and we believe the BJP orchestrated a conspiracy to have four declared invalid."
Assembly experts reiterated the legal nuances, explaining that the whip does not apply in Rajya Sabha elections, thereby limiting grounds for dismissal on defection charges. A senior Vidhan Sabha expert noted, "At most, in an extreme scenario, these members could be designated as part of a dissociate members group, but they will continue to function within the legislative framework."
This incident underscores the ongoing tensions within the Congress party in Haryana, highlighting challenges in maintaining discipline amid electoral maneuvers. As the disciplinary proceedings unfold, the political landscape in the state remains closely watched for further developments.
