Congress candidate from Haryana, Karmveer Singh Bauddh, who won in the Rajya Sabha elections, has alleged illegal cancellation of votes while expressing gratitude for the party's support.
Addressing reporters, Bauddh stated, “Votes were illegally cancelled, but I received the blessings of the Congress party and the people. I received love from the Congress’s top leadership. I will sit comfortably among you people every day.”
The Rajya Sabha seats in Haryana were split between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress. Following the results, leaders from both parties exchanged accusations, with Congress accusing the BJP of unethical tactics, and the BJP questioning Congress’s ability to maintain unity among its legislators.
BJP winning candidate Sanjay Bhatia told ANI, “Congress’s responsibility was to unite its workers and MLAs, now they are putting allegations on us for the cross-votes of their own workers, which is not right… I was born and brought up in Haryana, and my priority will be the issues of the people here… Congress got 28 votes, the independent received 16 votes with first preference, and BJP received 39 first preference votes…”
Congress MLA Geeta Bhukkal stated, “We won the fight we had been fighting for a long time. The way a procession of the constitution and constitutional bodies was being carried out, the democracy finally won. Our candidate, Karamvir Singh Baudh won the seat today… We congratulate our leaders and workers… BJP tried to do horse trading today…”
Haryana Minister Mahipal Dhanda said, “The independent candidate has the right to seek votes, but Congress have held their workers hostage… BJP candidates won with a huge majority. Independent candidates sought support from us, and we gave… This is an election fought on internal voice, and Congress is killing it in its workers…” He added, “Sanjay Bhatia (BJP candidate) has won…”
Meanwhile, Haryana Congress President Rao Narendra Singh criticised the BJP, alleging that the Rajya Sabha election process revealed the ruling party’s “anti-Dalit” stance.
The Rajya Sabha voting was suspended for several hours due to objections concerning two Congress votes, which BJP members Gaurav Gautam and Kishan Bedi challenged. Congress also objected to Minister Anil Vij’s vote.