Chandigarh, March 19: The Congress Legislature Party has formally approached Governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh to report grievances regarding the conduct of the Rajya Sabha polling and counting process. Led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the delegation claimed that the ruling party misused government machinery to influence the outcome in favor of a BJP-supported independent candidate.
The controversy stems from the election of Karamvir Singh Boudh, who secured a seat despite what the Congress described as organized “vote theft.” Party leaders stated that the returning officer acted in a biased manner by invalidating five ballots, including four from the opposition benches. The memorandum submitted to the Governor declared that free and fair norms were abandoned during the counting session earlier this week.
In his remarks following the meeting, Hooda maintained that the BJP-backed candidacy of Satish Nandal was a strategic move to bypass the requisite numbers for a victory. He stated that the ruling party employed intense political pressure to bridge the gap in the 90-member assembly. “This is a victory of the people’s trust over power,” Hooda affirmed, noting that the democratic process survived despite internal party defections.
The Congress has demanded a thorough investigation into the role of the election staff, asserting that the integrity of the assembly’s mandate was at stake. While the BJP holds 48 seats, the opposition maintained that the mandate remains with the people. The Governor was urged to ensure that such administrative lapses do not recur in future legislative contests.
