CPI(ML) Rejects Congress Cross-Voting Charge, Seeks Kharge’s Intervention After Jharkhand RS Poll Defeat

Ranchi — Tensions within the INDIA bloc in Jharkhand intensified on Friday after CPI(ML) Liberation strongly rejected allegations of cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha elections and sought the intervention of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to stop what it called baseless accusations by state Congress leaders.

In a letter addressed to Kharge, CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said both of the party’s MLAs had voted for the Congress candidate in accordance with the opposition alliance’s understanding and coalition discipline.

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Bhattacharya asserted that the party’s authorised polling agents had verified the votes cast by its legislators during the election process, leaving no room for any allegation of cross-voting. He expressed concern that statements made by some Congress leaders after the election results were damaging the party’s credibility and could weaken the unity of the INDIA bloc.

The CPI(ML) leader urged the Congress high command to ensure that party leaders refrain from making allegations against alliance partners without evidence. He also criticised sections of the media for carrying such claims without seeking the party’s response or independently verifying the facts, which, he said, contributed to confusion.

Emphasising CPI(ML)’s commitment to opposition unity, Bhattacharya noted that the party has been one of the most consistent supporters of the INDIA bloc since its formation and has actively worked to strengthen the alliance in states such as Bihar and Jharkhand. In that context, he described the allegations as both unfortunate and unwarranted.

Earlier in the day, RJD leaders also dismissed claims of cross-voting. Addressing a press conference in Ranchi, RJD National General Secretary Bhola Yadav and the party’s Jharkhand president maintained that all RJD MLAs had voted for the Congress nominee as instructed by party chief Lalu Prasad.

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Yadav said he was present as an authorised polling agent and personally witnessed the MLAs showing their ballots, making the Congress allegations “baseless” and “unfortunate”.

The controversy erupted after the results of the Rajya Sabha elections in Jharkhand, where JMM candidate Baijnath Ram and NDA-backed Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani secured victory, while Congress nominee Pranav Jha was defeated.

Following the outcome, Jharkhand Congress in-charge K. Raju and some other party leaders suggested that alliance partners, including RJD and CPI(ML), may not have fully supported the Congress candidate, triggering a sharp response from both parties.
 

With inputs from IANS

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