Haryana Rajya Sabha polls counting on hold as Cong, BJP lodge complaints

Chandigarh: The Rajya Sabha elections for two seats in Haryana ended on Monday amid high drama, with both Congress and the BJP lodging complaints with the Election Commission (EC).

BJP alleged "violation of vote secrecy", with minister Krishan Kumar Bedi filing two objections. He alleged that two Congress legislators failed to fold their ballots correctly, compromising the secrecy required by election rules. Congress filed a complaint against Haryana minister Anil Vij's vote, though sources indicate the CEC has declared that specific vote valid.


Later, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to the EC, urging the commission to protect the integrity of the election process. In his letter, Kharge warned against the "disqualification of legitimate voters" and requested an immediate meeting between an EC delegation and a group of senior Congress leaders led by Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi. "There is a clear attempt to interfere with the integrity of the election," Kharge said.

Till the filing of this report, the counting of votes remained on hold as the presiding officer awaited a final ruling from the CEC.

The election, supervised by returning officer Pankaj Aggarwal, saw 88 of the 90 MLAs cast their votes. The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), which holds two seats, abstained; with its leader Abhay Chautala citing a lack of confidence in both the BJP and Congress as the reason for the party's refusal to participate.

Each of the two vacant seats requires 31 votes for a candidate to secure victory. The three candidates in the fray are BJP's Sanjay Bhatia, Congress nominee Karamvir Singh Boudh, and independent candidate Satish Nandal, who is being backed by the BJP.

Both Haryana CM Nayab Saini and Congress Legislative Party Leader (CLP) Bhupinder Singh Hooda expressed confidence in their respective candidates' victories.

(With inputs from agencies)

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