Disqualify Cong MLAs who voted for our candidates: BJP

The BJP demanded disqualification of 17 Cong MLAs from Rajasthan Assembly alleging that they have defied their party whip by voting for BJP candidates.

The BJP today demanded disqualification of 17 Congress MLAs from Rajasthan Assembly alleging that they have defied their party whip by voting for BJP candidates in the Rajya Sabha elections.

BJP National Secretary Kirit Somaiya has written to the Election Commission seeking action against these MLAs for giving their second preference votes to BJP candidates Ram Jethmalani and V P Singh. Somaiya was partys observer for the Rajasthan elections.

In a letter to the ECs Special Observer for Rajasthan,K F Wilfred,Somaiah said,We feel that these MLAs have violated the whip of their party. The motto/objective of the 2003 amendment to the Representation of People Act 1951 is to bring discipline,transparency and …. against indiscipline and corrupt practices. Hence we want action.

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Nine Congress MLAs had cast second preference votes to V P Singh,and eight to Ram Jethmalani despite their party whip,Kirit Somaiya,BJP Observer and National Secretary,said.

Taking a dig at the Congress,the BJP Secretary said,Why they are not taking action against these 17 MLAs? Let the Congress ask the EC and Speaker of Rajasthan Assembly to dismiss their assembly membership as MLA,Somaiya demanded.

Earlier in the day at a function,Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot denied there was any cross voting. He said the Congress party has not lost a single vote as both of its candidates got 51 first preference votes each out of a total strength of 102 of the Congress in the assembly.

Congress did extend the support to Independent candidate Santosh Bagdoria and he securred 11 votes,Gehlot said.

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