CPI-ML rejects cross-voting charge as Congress blames allies for Nathwani’s surprise win in Jharkhand RS polls

Ranchi, June 18 (IANS) The Communist Party of India-Maxist-Leninist-Liberation (CPI-ML) on Thursday strongly denied allegations of cross-voting in the Jharkhand Rajya Sabha elections, after the Congress accused its alliance partners of contributing to the defeat of the party's candidate, Pranav Jha. 

The controversy erupted after Jharkhand Congress in-charge K. Raju alleged that legislators from the RJD and the CPI-ML had "betrayed" the Congress, resulting in the victory of NDA-backed Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani despite the INDIA bloc enjoying a comfortable majority in the Assembly.

Rejecting the charge, CPI-ML General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said the party's two MLAs had supported the Congress nominee.

"As for the speculation over the Jharkhand Rajya Sabha voting, we can say with full responsibility that our two MLAs voted for the Congress candidate as planned. Two of our senior leaders, Polit Bureau member Haldhar Mahato and Central Committee member Geeta Mandal, duly verified the votes cast by CPI-ML legislators," Dipankar said in a statement.

The Rajya Sabha election outcome has triggered intense political debate, with indications of cross-voting within the ruling INDIA bloc.

Of the two seats, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate Baijnath Ram secured 31 votes and was elected without difficulty. However, Congress nominee Jha managed only 20 votes, while Nathwani emerged victorious with 30 votes polled in his favour. Two of Nathwani’s votes were, however, declared invalid, leaving him with 28 valid votes -- enough to secure a win.

All 81 members of the Jharkhand Assembly participated in the election.

The result has raised serious questions for the INDIA bloc, which commands 56 MLAs in the Assembly, comprising 34 from the JMM, 16 from the Congress, four from the RJD and two from the CPI-ML. In contrast, the NDA has only 24 legislators.

Given the arithmetic, the INDIA bloc was expected to comfortably elect both its candidates. Political observers estimate that at least six to seven legislators may have voted against the party line.

The Congress has now turned its focus towards its allies, with party leaders openly questioning whether all constituents of the alliance adhered to the agreed voting strategy. The CPI-ML's categorical denial, however, has further complicated efforts to identify the source of the alleged cross-voting.

The outcome is being viewed as a significant political setback for the Congress and has exposed underlying strains within the INDIA bloc in Jharkhand. Nathwani’s victory has once again highlighted how political calculations and internal dissension can override legislative arithmetic in closely watched elections.

With accusations and counter-accusations flying, the Rajya Sabha poll result is likely to trigger further introspection within the opposition alliance over coordination, trust and floor-management.

--IANS

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