BJP gets 8-10 cross votes, Opposition parties shocked

Mumbai: It came as a high voltage shock to the opposition parties in Maharashtra, especially to Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) when Bharatiya Janata Party won over a minimum of 8 to 10 opposition MLAs in the presidential polls. NDA presidential candidate Ramnath Kovind garnered 208 votes from Maharashtra whereas NDA had just 198 votes on record. Snatching 10 MLAs from opposition also means that BJP is getting close to a single-handed majority in Maharashtra.

United Progressive Alliance (UPA) candidate Meira Kumar was assured the support of 88 MLAs from Congress (42), Nationalist Congress Party (41), Peasants and Workers Party (3) Communist Party of India (Marxist) (1) and Samajwadi Party (1). Mr Kovind was assured of getting support from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena with 122 and 63 seats respectively. Prior to the election seven independents and one MLA from Rashtriya Samaj Party (RSP)  had declared to support him as well, thus taking the total tally to 193 while the rest of the seven MLAs did not declare their stand.

Out of 288 Maharashtra MLAs, 287 voted and two votes were disqualified. As per the final tally, the opposition lost 11 of its votes with Ms Kumar winning only 77 out of 285 and Mr Kovind winning 208.

According to sources, Ramesh Kadam, a jailed NCP MLA, voted in favour of NDA.  With PWP, CPI (M) and SP denying cross voting, questions have been raised as to whether at least 10 MLAs from both Congress and NCP have voted for the NDA candidate.

Former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said that the party will need to analyse the results to check facts. “Prima facie it seems there was cross-voting. If any such thing has happened in Maharashtra, then it is a matter of grave concern and we as a party will have to seriously think over the issue,” he told.

A day prior to the presidential polls, independent MLA Ravi Rana had assured chief minister Devendra Fadnavis the support from all seven independents and 22 MLAs from Congress and NCP. “There are opposition MLAs who are ready to jump to the other side. It will be visible in this presidential election,” he said.

Something fishy

• NDA candidate Ramnath Kovind garnered 208 votes from Maharashtra whereas NDA had just 198 votes on record.
• According to sources, Ramesh Kadam, a jailed NCP MLA, voted in favour of NDA.
• Former CM Prithviraj Chavan said Congress would need to analyse the results to check facts.