Congress to review action against ‘cross-voting’ MLAs today

Chandigarh: The Haryana Congress is set to review possible action against party MLAs accused of cross-voting or whose votes were declared invalid in the Rajya Sabha election, with a special meeting of the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) scheduled in New Delhi on Monday.The meeting comes amid mounting speculation over disciplinary action against five MLAs — Jarnail Singh, Shalley Chaudhary, Renu Bala, Mohammad Iliyas and Mohammad Israil — who have been served show-cause notices. While Shalley, Renu and Jarnail have denied the allegations, attention is now on whether all five will attend the meeting.CLP leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda remained guarded on whether the issue of cross-voting would formally figure in the agenda, saying only that the meeting had been called to review the situation arising out of the Rajya Sabha polls."So far as the MLAs are concerned, the decision has to come from the high command as we have already sent our report. During the meeting, the MLAs will have interaction with Karamveer Boudh, Congress's Rajya Sabha member, as well," Hooda said.Speculation within party circles has ranged from possible disciplinary action against all five legislators to resignations by some of them.The controversy erupted after the March 16 Rajya Sabha election, in which Congress nominee Karamveer Boudh won despite allegations of cross-voting and invalid votes. Among those under scrutiny, Mohammad Iliyas, MLA from Punhana, has since met Union minister Manohar Lal Khattar and chief minister Nayab Singh Saini, while Mohammad Israil has publicly admitted to not voting for Boudh. BoxWHY THE CLP MEET MATTERSWhat's at stakeCongress to assess fallout of the narrow Rajya Sabha poll win on March 16Action likely against MLAs accused of cross-voting or invalid votingWho is under scannerJarnail SinghShalley ChaudharyRenu BalaMohammad IliyasMohammad IsrailWhat has happened so farShow-cause notices issued to all fiveSome MLAs have denied allegationsParty report already sent to high commandWhat to watchWill all five MLAs attend Monday's CLP meet?Will Congress announce disciplinary action?Could resignations or suspension follow? MSID:: 129882349 413 |