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CLP leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda decides to keep the flock together as the party faces a challenge from a BJP-backed Independent candidate
Chandigarh: In a move aimed at preventing cross-voting ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections in Haryana, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) on Friday decided to shift its MLAs to Shimla in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh.
The decision was taken during a meeting of Congress legislators, following which the MLAs first gathered for lunch at the residence of Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda in Chandigarh before leaving for Shimla in luxury buses. The MLAs will return to Chandigarh on the morning of March 16, the day scheduled for voting in the Rajya Sabha elections.
Battle for Second Rajya Sabha Seat
The elections are being held for two Rajya Sabha seats from Haryana. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has 48 MLAs in the Assembly, is expected to comfortably secure one seat for its candidate, Sanjay Bhatia.
However, the contest for the second seat has become intense, with the Congress fielding Karamvir Singh Boudh, while Independent candidate Satish Nandal — reportedly backed by the BJP — is also in the fray. The Congress currently has 37 MLAs in the Assembly and needs 31 first-preference votes to ensure Boudh’s victory.
Senior Leaders Accompany MLAs
Leader of opposition and former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, State in-charge B. K. Hariprasad and Haryana Congress president Rao Narender Singh are accompanying the MLAs to Shimla. Several senior Congress leaders, including MPs Deepender Singh Hooda, Satpal Brahmachari and Varun Chaudhary, are also part of the group. arty sources said a training session for MLAs on the voting process will also be held during their stay.
Cross-Voting History Haunts Congress
The move reflects the Congress’s concerns over possible cross-voting in the election.
In 2022, senior Congress leader Ajay Maken lost the Rajya Sabha election from Haryana after alleged cross-voting within the party ranks. At that time, Congress had shifted its MLAs to Chhattisgarh to keep the flock together.
Earlier in 2016, controversy over the use of different ink during voting led to the invalidation of 12 Congress-backed votes, resulting in the defeat of Independent candidate R. K. Anand, who was supported by the party.
Open Ballot System in Rajya Sabha Polls
Rajya Sabha elections are conducted through an open ballot system, which means MLAs must show their ballot to their party’s authorised agent before casting their vote.
However, the Supreme Court in the Kuldip Nayar vs Union of India judgment (2006) ruled that MLAs cannot be disqualified from the Assembly for cross-voting, though they may face disciplinary action from their political party. With the March 16 vote approaching, the Congress leadership appears keen to avoid any repeat of past setbacks.
