BJP accuses Congress of poll code violation for releasing manifesto in ‘silence period’
BJP MP Sambit Patra criticised Rahul Gandhi for allegedly disregarding the Election Commission’s authority and continually speaking against it.
There is a tough fight between the Congress candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi and BJP candidate Harsha Mahajan amid speculations of cross-voting as polling for the lone Rajya Sabha seat in Himachal Pradesh is underway on Tuesday.
Even though the Congress has kept a close watch on its MLAs, the fear of cross-voting looms large as the BJP is banking on dissidence within the party and the brewing resentment amongst the MLAs for having fielded a non-Himachali for the seat when there is no dearth of contenders from the party.
Harsh Mahajan, a former three-time MLA and minister, who was a close confidant of former Chief Minister late Virbhadra Singh, had switched over to BJP last year ahead of the Assembly elections. He is counting on his close association with the Congress MLAs.
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Congress has 40 MLAs and three independents have also shown their solidarity, whereas BJP has 25 MLAs.
According to media reports, cross-voting may not only lead to Congress candidate Singhvi’s defeat but also spell trouble for the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government.
The polls being held from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm will have the results announced by evening after the counting starts at 5.00 pm.
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