The Congress, on Sunday, termed the BJP a “blot on democracy” for encouraging hose-trading in the Rajya Sabha elections.
The Congress, on Sunday, termed the BJP a “blot on democracy” for encouraging hose-trading in the Rajya Sabha elections.
Talking to reporters, senior Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said that the BJP had lowered the dignity of democracy by encouraging the use of money and muscle power in Rajya Sabha biennial elections.
“Every party fielded candidates according to its numerical strength in the state Assembly, but the BJP fielded an independent candidate, Preeti Mahapatra, who certainly could not have won without encouraging horse-trading. What was the logic of fielding her Almost every party faced cross voting by its legislators and this is a painful moment for all those who believe in the Constitution and democracy,” he said.
Mr Tiwari said that the defeat of Ms Preeti Mahapatra was a clear signal to the BJP that Uttar Pradesh will not tolerate corruption and dictatorship. “The BJP, in any case, has turned into a ‘Modi and Shah Private Limited Company’ and has ceased to function like a political party. Another thing is also clear — that the voice of conscience which Preeti Mahapatra kept on invoking is against the BJP,” he said.
Mr Tiwari said that the Rajya Sabha results had shown a mirror to the BJP which is holding its national executive in Allahabad. “The ‘chaal’, ‘chehra’ and ‘charitra’ of the BJP lies exposed and the national executive could not have been more ill-timed,” he added. The Congress MP said that in his long political career, he had never seen such a naked display of wealth and power.
Mr Pramod Tiwari lauded Union home minister Rajnath Singh and said that despite camping in Lucknow for two days during the elections, Mr Singh did not involve himself in any dirty tricks related to cross voting.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party that gave its second preference votes to the Congress and the RLD and Peace Party for supporting the Congress, which helped the party candidate Kapil Sibal win the election.
Replying to a question about cross voting by MLAs, Mr Tiwari said he had no respect for those who have betrayed their own parties but said that action, if any, will be decided by the party leadership.
