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Chandigarh: The Indian National Congress has issued a show-cause notice to Ratia MLA Jarnail Singh in connection with invalid voting during the recent Haryana Rajya Sabha election. The notice was issued Friday morning, asking the MLA to submit a reply within seven days. The party has warned that failure to respond within the stipulated period will invite further action under party rules.

Disciplinary Action Underway

According to the Haryana Congress Disciplinary Action Committee, the notice was issued on the directions of committee chairman Dharmpal Malik.

The notice states that Jarnail Singh allegedly voted contrary to the party’s official direction, leading to the cancellation or invalidation of his vote. “It has been brought to the notice of the Party leadership that during the recently held Rajya Sabha election, you have allegedly cast your vote in a manner contrary to the prescribed procedure and the official direction issued by the Party… Such conduct amounts to anti-party activities and undermines the unity, integrity and ideological commitments of the Party,” the notice reads.

Fifth MLA to Face Action

Jarnail Singh is the fifth Congress MLA to face disciplinary proceedings in the invalid -voting seems cross-voting controversy. Earlier, the party had issued cross-voting  notices to four MLAs — Shelly Choudhary, Renu Bala, Mohammad Ilyas and Mohammad Israil — after they were accused of voting in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate.

The Rajya Sabha election in Haryana saw a close contest, with both the BJP and Congress securing one seat each. However, the election was marred by allegations of cross-voting and invalid votes, triggering internal disciplinary action within the Congress. The party leadership has maintained that strict action will be taken against those found guilty of violating the party line, signalling a tough stance on maintaining organisational discipline.