Delhi: Anand Sharma, Rajya Sabha member and deputy leader of Congress Party has charged BJP with serious allegation of running after its Party legislators in Gujarat ahead of Rajya Sabha elections.
During the Rajya Sabha session, Anand bluntly questioned BJP Government, “If you are in government, you’ll rob MLAs?”
Following three Congress MLAs quitting Congress party ahead of the upcoming Rajya Sabha Elections have irked Party members since Balwantsingh Rajput was immediately offered a ticket to contest in Rajya Sabha elections by BJP. PI Patel also resigned from the Congress party.
“One MLA, PI Patel, after a CLP meeting went to another MLA’s residence for tea. There a District Superintendent of Police came and told him he won’t get a ticket from the Congress. Now your Gujarat police will decide who the Congress will give a ticket to?” asked party member Ghulam Nabi Azad.
Ghulam alleged that the concerned District Superintendent of Police is out on bail and that he was jailed and is facing encounter charges.
Reacting to Ghulam Nabi Azad’s allegations, Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister from Gujarat, replied “This is Congress’ internal matter. Their LoP in Gujarat leaves party, their MLAs leave. They cross-vote in Presidential elections. Why is he complaining here? Why is he defaming Gujarat?”
Congress now demands Rajya Sabha to direct the Election Commission to conduct fair and free elections.
Reacting to Congress demand, Deputy Chairman PV Kurien said that is not in his authority and that the party should approach the Election Commission if they have any complaints.
BJP leader and Minister of state for Parliamentary Affairs Muqtar Abbas Naqvi reacting on the allegations by Congress Party, said, “Their (Congress) problem is their house is crumbling. They can’t manage their house and are rather screaming around in the neighbourhood about it.”
So far five legislators from the Congress Party have quit the Congress in Gujarat. Allegation s from the Congress party kept disrupting the Rajya Sabha session.