Rajya Sabha Election: BJP Wins Big In UP, Cross-Voting Swings Himachal, Congress Takes 3 Out Of 4 In K'taka

Rajya Sabha Election Result 2024: The Congress party faced a significant setback in the Rajya Sabha election in Himachal Pradesh, while it won big in Karnataka. The BJP also secured an extra seat in Uttar Pradesh.

The Congress party faced a significant setback in the Rajya Sabha elections in Himachal Pradesh, where cross-voting tilted the balance in favour of the BJP. The elections, held across three states, witnessed intense cross-voting dynamics with the Congress securing three seats in Karnataka while the saffron party clinched an extra seat in Uttar Pradesh.

Cross-Voting Alters Outcome in Himachal Pradesh

In Himachal Pradesh, BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan emerged victorious over Congress's Abhishek Manu Singhvi after a tie, necessitating a draw of lots. The outcome underscored cross-voting, with six Congress MLAs and three Independents reportedly siding with the BJP. Presently, the Congress holds 40 MLAs, the BJP 25, with three independents in the 68-member Himachal Pradesh assembly.

Reacting to the results, Singhvi criticised the BJP's tactics, stating, "The BJP's move to field a candidate against a party which has 40 members compared to its 25 was a clear message that the saffron party wants to win by hook or crook and more by crook." 

BJP Wins Total 8 Seats, SP Secured 2

Uttar Pradesh witnessed high drama, with concerns over cross-voting prompting the resignation of SP chief whip Manoj Pandey during polling. Notably, eight SP MLAs abstained from a crucial meeting called by party leader Yadav on Monday. BJP's Sanjay Seth, an industrialist, secured victory over SP candidate Alok Ranjan. Additionally, seven BJP candidates emerged victorious, including former Union minister RPN Singh and party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi. SP's Jaya Bachchan secured another term, alongside Dalit leader Ramji Lal Suman.  

Expressing discontent, SP president Akhilesh Yadav warned of strict action against MLAs involved in cross-voting. Earlier in the day, he remarked, "Those who wanted to profit from the situation will go. Those who were given assurances (by the BJP) will go", as quoted by PTI.

Reacting to accusations, BJP leader Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya dismissed Yadav's claims and asserted, "The BJP can adopt all tricks to win elections."

Congress Wins 3 Out Of 4 Seats In Karnataka 

In Karnataka, amidst cross-voting, Congress secured three out of four seats, with BJP candidate Narayansa K Bhandage clinching the remaining seat. The Congress winners include Ajay Maken, Syed Naseer Hussain, G C Chandrasekhar

BJP MLA S T Somashekar's vote for a Congress candidate and another legislator's abstention stirred a row, as per PTI. Somashekar defended his action, stating, "I listened to the voice of my conscience." 

On February 20, the BJP secured a significant victory by winning 20 seats unopposed in the Rajya Sabha elections. The Congress followed with 6 seats, while other parties such as Trinamool Congress, YSR Congress, RJD, BJD, NCP, Shiv Sena, BRS, and JD(U) each secured one seat.

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