Cong and BJP move EC, cite ‘horse-trading bids’
JAIPUR: The ruling Congress and opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Rajasthan on Wednesday wrote to the Election Commission (EC) over alleged attempts of horse-trading and corrupt practices ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections on June 10.
The BJP also wrote to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), alleging misuse of government machinery and resources and phone tapping of opposition MLAS by the state and sought an impartial probe into the matter.
In his letter to the CEC, Congress MLA and chief whip of state assembly Mahesh Joshi sought registration of a first information report (FIR) against media baron and independent candidate Subhash Chandra, who is being supported by the BJP, BJP state president Satish Poonia, leader of BJP legislature party Gulab Chand Kataria and other leaders. Joshi alleged that the Congress has 126 votes against the 123 which is required to win three seats while Chandra has 33 votes and is short of 8 MLAS to gain victory. However, at a press conference on Tuesday, Chandra claimed he will get the additional eight votes he needs to win the polls, Joshi said. “The BJP and Chandra are arrogantly claiming cross voting of MLAS. Now the BJP are threatening ED and Income Tax. It is clear that this is a legal offense and taking cognizance of this, the Election Commission and the police have to take necessary constitutional and legal action against the Rajasthan BJP president, Rajasthan BJP Legislature Party leader, BJP supported independent candidate, Subhash Chandra and other BJP leaders and criminally prosecute them,” he said.
The BJP also accused the Congress of trying to indulge in horse-trading and wrote to the ED, alleging use of black money in the elections. “Misusing the government machinery, through ACB, the phone of MLAS in opposition and office bearers are being tapped. The state plane is being misused,” leader of opposition Gulab Chand Kataria said.