Cross-vote row: Cong summons its 5 MLAs

Chandigarh: Suspense over the fate of five Congress MLAs accused of cross-voting in the March 16 Rajya Sabha election continues as the disciplinary committee of Haryana Congress has summoned them to the party HQ in Chandigarh on April 3 for further explanations.All this came to light Monday after a meeting of Congress legislative party (CLP) in New Delhi. None of the five MLAs was invited to the meeting, said Haryana Congress president Rao Narender Singh. Thirty of the invited 32 lawmakers attended; so did newly elected RS MP Karamveer Baudh. MLAs Pooja Chaudhary and Vinesh Phogat couldn't attend due to pre-scheduled assignments.After the meeting, Rao Narender Singh and CLP leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda jointly addressed the media. "Rajya Sabha MP Karamveer Baudh expressed gratitude towards all present there. We have prepared a presentation-cum-complaint to file before ECI against returning officer Pankaj Aggarwal, who illegally declared four (Congress) votes invalid," Hooda said."So far as action against the five MLAs is concerned, the disciplinary committee is working on it, and has fixed April 3 as the date of hearing for those who submitted their replies. Action will follow as per party constitution," said Rao Narender.While three MLAs — Shalley Chaudhary, Renu Bala and Jarnail Singh — reiterated their loyalty towards the party, Mohad Iliyas and Mohd Israil have struck a defiant stand. Israil admitted to having cross-voted as he "did not like" the candidature of Baudh. Iliyas has already met Union minister Manohar Lal Khattar and CM Nayab Singh Saini, sparking speculation that he may switch camps.