Jharkhand RS polls: CPI(ML) writes to Kharge, calls Cong cross-voting charge baseless

Ranchi, June 19 (IANS) After sharp exchange of words among INDIA Bloc allies in Jharkhand over the defeat of Congress Rajya Sabha candidate in Thursday’s polls, the CPI(ML) Liberation shot off a letter to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday.

In the letter, CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya has sought his intervention to halt what he described as “unsubstantiated statements” by Congress leaders in the state.

Bhattacharya stated that both CPI(ML) MLAs voted in favour of the Congress candidate in line with the understanding among Opposition parties and in keeping with coalition discipline.

He also added that the party’s authorised polling agents had duly verified the votes cast by its MLAs during the voting process, leaving no scope for cross-voting.

He said that the public accusations made by some Congress leaders after the results not only damage his party’s political credibility but could also adversely affect the unity of the INDIA Bloc.

He urged the Congress leadership to restrain its leaders from levelling allegations against allies without facts or evidence.

Bhattacharya also questioned sections of the media over their coverage, saying some outlets carried the allegations without seeking the party’s version or independently verifying facts, which created confusion.

He underlined that CPI(ML) has been among the most committed partners of the INDIA Bloc since its formation and has consistently worked to strengthen Opposition unity in states such as Bihar and Jharkhand. In this context, he termed the allegations against the party “unfortunate”.

Earlier in the day, RJD National General Secretary Bhola Yadav and Jharkhand President, at a press conference here on Friday, denied any charge of cross-voting and said all party MLAs voted in favour of the Congress candidate in line with directions from party President Lalu Prasad.

He claimed he was present as an authorised agent during voting, and his party MLAs showed their votes to him, dismissing the Congress charge as baseless and unfortunate.

In the elections to two Rajya Sabha seats from Jharkhand, JMM candidate Baijnath Ram and NDA-backed Independent Parimal Nathwani emerged victorious on Thursday, while Congress candidate Pranav Jha lost.

Following the results, Jharkhand Congress in-charge K. Raju and some other leaders had made allegations that allies, including RJD and CPI(ML), did not support the Congress.

–IANS

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