Drama, huddles, complaints mark RS poll
Cong demands votes of its 2 MLAs be rejected; BJP calls for immediate counting
GANDHINAGAR: The BJP and Congress on Tuesday traded charges after counting of votes in the Gujarat Rajya Sabha polls got delayed, with the latter demanding cancellation of votes of its two MLAs for alleged violation of rules and the saffron party insisting that counting be taken up immediately.
Congress’ Ahmed Patel and Balvantsinh Rajput, the party rebel who joined the BJP, are pitted against each other in a keen contest for the third Rajya Sabha seat from Gujarat. BJP national president Amit Shah and Union minister Smriti Irani are the other candidates for two more seats.
In a day of twists and turns, the Congress claimed that its two rebel legislators had flashed their ballots to the BJP polling agent. “We demanded that the video of the proceeding be checked and our claim verified. We insisted that two votes be cancelled,” said Congress spokesman Shaktisinh Gohil, adding if required the party will take the fight to the Supreme Court.
Gujarat deputy chief minister Nitin Patel said, “The Congress delayed the counting because they saw the defeat coming.’’
He said the state election office rejected the Congress’s plea for cancellation of two votes. As the returning officer over-ruled the Congress objection, the drama switched to the Election Commission but not before many lawmakers came out and declared their votes.
In the morning, former Congress legislature party leader Shankersinh Vaghela was in the spotlight as he claimed he had not voted for Patel.
“I did not vote for the Congress. I did not want to waste my vote as the Congress is not winning,” he said.He also claimed that as many as eight Congress MLAs cross-voted, ensuring that the party’s official candidate lose. However, Patel was quick to retort, saying he was confident of his victory. Those who cross-voted also included Karmshi Patel, Congress MLA from Sanand, who was among the 44 MLAs herded by the Congress to Bengaluru after they levelled charges of horse-trading against the BJP.
All the 44 MLAs, who were on Monday taken from Bengaluru to a resort in Anand, were on Tuesday brought together in a bus to a polling station in secretariat. State senior leaders lined up to greet them as they got down from bus and left for polling.
Request for proxy by Dhamsi Rajputana, one of the Congress MLAs who expressed inability to write, was rejected by election commission as such request should be made at least three days prior to the voting. He later had to vote by himself.
The poll turned out to be cliffhanger as suspense prevailed over whom did one of the two NCP MLAs and lone JD(U) MLA vote for.
While Kandhal Jadeja was seen taking blessings of BJP chief Amit Shah after casting his vote, indicating his vote for the BJP, NCP’s second MLA and state president Jayant Patel said, “Whip is clear. We are the partners of the UPA’’.