On Monday, the Congress party asked the Election Commission to hold a re-election.
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The Congress suffered a setback when well-known lawyer and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) nominee R. K. Anand, who was backed by it, lost to media moghul Subhash Chandra, who was supported by the BJP, in Haryana, thanks to 14 invalid votes. On Saturday, 14 Congress MLAs’ votes were rejected as they used a wrong pen to mark their choice.
On Friday, the Congress Legislature Party at its meeting had authorised party chief Sonia Gandhi to decide on who to vote for and she had directed voting in favour of Anand.
Riding on spectacular wins in Rajasthan, Haryana, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh, BJP will now have 54 members in the Upper House which is just three short of Congress’ 57.
The Congress leaders and Mr. Anand accused Mr. Chandra, a media baron, of “playing fraud on the democracy and the Constitution” with the help of an independent MLA and some EC officials. After all the votes were cast, the BJP raised an objection.
“After every two years these elections come and this time the BJP tried its best to turn the battle on its side, and it is the right of everyone to try their best, but the use of money in the procedure and using the administration against the opposition will destroy the laid structure”, he said. Chandra got 24 votes, while Anand managed only 15.
Demanding forensic examination of the pens used to cast votes, Hooda said the Election Commission should conduct a thorough inquiry.
Hariprasad said all the Congress MLAs voted for Anand in line with the party’s direction.
Caught off guard by the open defiance of rebels, a red-faced JD (S) leadership also issued a notice asking them why they should not be expelled from the party for defying the party whip in the elections held yesterday, which saw the party candidate, businessman BM Farooq, secure 33 votes against the party strength of 40.
Now the Congress will approach the Election Commission to seek a re-poll.
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“I have recommended the state unit chief to take action against Yadav as his act comes under voluntary anti-defection law”, said Suresh Khanna leader of the party in UP Assembly.
