Polling for two Rajya Sabha seats in Haryana saw 88 MLAs cast their votes, while the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) chose to abstain from the process. The three candidates in the fray—BJP’s Sanjay Bhatia, Congress’ Karamvir Boudh and Independent Satish Nandal backed by the BJP—expressed confidence that they would win the elections.
Voting started on Monday morning, with the first vote cast by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini at the polling booth set up on the Haryana Vidhan Sabha premises. The polling remained peaceful, though Congress MLA BB Batra said Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam raised an objection, claiming the confidentiality of Congress MLA Paramvir Singh’s vote had been compromised.
Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Aggarwal stated that the objection would be referred to the Election Commission. He added that counting would start after clarity on the issue was received. Voting ended at 4 pm, and counting was expected to start around 5 pm.
Meanwhile, the INLD, which had been keeping its decision unclear, eventually chose to abstain from voting. Its two MLAs, Aditya Devi Lal and Arjun Chautala, did not come to cast their votes. The party decided not to support the Congress in the election.
All 48 MLAs of the BJP, including Minister Anil Vij, cast their votes. Vij, who is currently on bed-rest after fracturing both his feet, arrived in a wheelchair to vote. All 37 Congress MLAs, including an ailing Mohd Ilyas, also cast their votes.
The Congress MLAs arrived from Kasauli and were first taken to the official residence of Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda. From there, they travelled together to the Vidhan Sabha. Wrestler-turned-politician Vinesh Phogat also reached the venue along with MPs Deepender Singh Hooda and Satpal Brahmachari.
Also read: Haryana Cong MLAs leave Kasauli for RS elections
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