The Congress has flown its Madhya Pradesh legislators to Bengaluru due to fears of cross-voting in the upcoming Rajya Sabha election. This move follows the BJP’s decision to field a third candidate, intensifying what was initially a straightforward contest. Around 45-50 legislators, accompanied by family members, traveled in the first chartered flight arranged by the Congress.
A day after Meenakshi Natarajan and Mahesh Kevat filed their nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha election, the Congress MLAs made their way to Bengaluru. The BJP’s nomination of Kevat as a third candidate has significantly changed the political dynamics in Madhya Pradesh. The BJP’s surplus votes have led them to contest for the third seat, requiring support from around 10 to 12 Congress MLAs or other legislators for victory.
With 62 MLAs in the Assembly, the Congress has a narrow margin to elect its nominee, Meenakshi Natarajan, who requires 58 votes to win. The party’s decision to move its legislators to Karnataka, where it is in power, aims to avoid any potential cross-voting that could jeopardize Natarajan’s victory. Before departing for Bengaluru, the MLAs gathered at the residence of Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar, with senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh also present to interact with them.
Defending the move, Singhar emphasized the need to remain vigilant against the BJP’s alleged attempts to engineer defections and cross-voting. He expressed confidence in the Congress MLAs while highlighting the importance of safeguarding against political maneuvers. The Congress’s decision to shift its legislators underscores the high-stakes nature of the Rajya Sabha election in Madhya Pradesh.
