Chandigarh, March 17 (NationPress) Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the former Chief Minister of Haryana and current Leader of Opposition, asserted on Tuesday that the BJP has once again engaged in vote theft during the Rajya Sabha elections, similar to their actions in the Assembly elections.

“The BJP has validated the accusations made by our leader, Rahul Gandhi, through its misuse of power in this election. The decision to introduce a second candidate, the party's Vice-President, despite the absence of necessary numerical backing, indicates a blatant disregard for democracy and the public will. This party seems to be focused solely on achieving victory through manipulative strategies,” Hooda stated.

He criticized the BJP for employing various tactics to undermine democracy. “The government apparatus was extensively abused. Four legitimate votes cast by Congress members were unjustly declared invalid, even though they had been accepted multiple times by the Returning Officer,” he remarked.

MLA Bharat Bhushan Batra alleged that the Returning Officer acted as a complete agent of BJP to facilitate their victory. “However, both the BJP and the Returning Officer faced a significant setback due to the unity shown by committed Congress legislators. In the end, the Congress candidate was able to secure a seat in the Rajya Sabha,” he added.

Hooda, a two-time Chief Minister, revealed that the identities of the five Congress legislators who voted against the party have been reported to the High Command.

He urged these members to resign voluntarily from their positions as MLAs; otherwise, the party will take disciplinary measures against them shortly. These individuals will face consequences not only from the party but also from their respective constituents, he emphasized.

In addition, Hooda addressed the false narratives circulating on social media regarding the vote of Badli MLA Kuldeep Vats, asserting, "I personally observed Kuldeep Vats ji cast his vote in favor of the Congress candidate," he stated. He also condemned the government's behavior within the Assembly.

Hooda noted that Congress legislators attempted to discuss the Rajya Sabha elections on the Assembly floor; however, they were unfairly “named” and expelled, an action he deemed thoroughly undemocratic. “The BJP’s reluctance to engage in a debate clearly signals that they have something to conceal and that they resorted to unethical and undemocratic methods to secure their win in this election,” he further commented.

On this occasion, Hooda congratulated the party's candidate, Karamvir Baudh, on his victory in the Rajya Sabha elections.

He stated that this victory is not just the candidate’s achievement, but also a win for the Dalits, backward classes, and marginalized communities within the state.

“By sending a party worker from a humble background to the Rajya Sabha, the Congress has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusivity and participation from all segments of society,” Hooda concluded.