BJP Surprises Congress-Multiple MLAs Cross-Vote in Rajya Sabha

In a significant blow to the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, a Congress Working Committee member and party candidate, faced defeat in the election for the lone Rajya Sabha seat from the state. This defeat ensued after nine MLAs, six from the Congress and three Independents, voted against Singhvi, leading to the victory of BJP nominee Harsh Mahajan.

Similarly, in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress’s ally Samajwadi Party (SP) suffered setbacks as at least seven of its MLAs engaged in cross-voting in favor of the BJP. Consequently, one of the SP’s three candidates faced defeat.

The overall outcome saw the BJP securing 10 out of the 15 Rajya Sabha seats across Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh. The Congress managed to clinch three seats, while the SP secured two. However, these elections were marred by allegations of cross-voting and ensuing controversies.

Following Singhvi’s defeat, the Congress high command swiftly dispatched senior leaders Bhupinder Singh Hooda and D K Shivakumar as observers to Himachal Pradesh. Their immediate task involves ensuring the passage of the Finance Bill scheduled for Wednesday. Amidst this political turmoil, certain MLAs have expressed dissatisfaction with the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, prompting Hooda and Shivakumar to engage in discussions with legislators to gauge their sentiments in the days ahead.

Despite commanding a significant majority in the Himachal Pradesh House with 40 MLAs and the support of three Independents against BJP’s 25, the unexpected outcome led to a tie between Singhvi and Mahajan, necessitating Mahajan’s victory through a draw of lots. This development led the BJP to assert that the ruling party had lost its majority, demanding Sukhu’s resignation.

Internally, the Congress grappled with factional disputes, particularly evident in the resentment towards Singhvi’s candidacy, perceived as imposed by the party high command. These tensions exacerbated existing divisions within the party, fueled by conflicts between camps led by Sukhu and PCC president Pratibha Singh and her son Vikramaditya Singh.

Meanwhile, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav condemned the defection of MLAs, accusing the BJP of enticing them and resorting to unethical practices to secure victory. The BJP successfully elected all eight of its candidates in Uttar Pradesh, while the SP’s two candidates, Jaya Bachchan and Ramji Lal Suman, emerged victorious, with the third candidate, Alok Ranjan, suffering defeat.

Across various states, the elections witnessed instances of cross-voting, highlighting the volatility of political allegiances and the multifaceted dynamics at play within party structures. Despite the upheaval, the outcomes underscore the intricate interplay of power dynamics and party strategies in the electoral arena.

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