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The Haryana Assembly on Tuesday (March 17, 2026) saw uproar by the opposition members of the Congress, who questioned the process of the Rajya Sabha elections, alleging that the poll exercise amounted to the “suppression of democracy.”
The Congress MLAs and the ruling members of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were embroiled in a sharp exchange of words surrounding the elections for two Rajya Sabha seats, which saw ‘cross-voting’ by Congress MLAs and technical disqualification.
After the question hour, Congress MLA Raghuvir Singh Kadian and leader of the Opposition, Congress party’s Bhupinder Singh Hooda raised the issue, alleging that democracy was murdered and the dignity of Rajya Sabha polls has taken a hit.
Congress MLAs raised slogans of “vote chor, gaddi chhod” and stormed the well of the House. The BJP MLAs held up nine fingers, in a pointed reference to the nine votes Congress lost by cross-voting and those declared invalid. As the chaos continued, the Speaker, Harvinder Kalyan briefer adjourned the House. The Congress members again created a ruckus after lunch, following which the Speaker named their eight MLAs. The Congress MLAs then staged a walkout.
Taking a dig at the Congress, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, said the BJP had successfully ensured the election of its candidate Sanjay Bhatia, to the Rajya Sabha. “In a democracy, every individual has the right to contest elections, and supporting an Independent candidate is well within democratic norms. If the opposition had objections, they were free to field their own candidate. Why didn’t they?” he quipped, adding that the Independent candidate had approached them for support, which they extended. Reacting sharply to the remarks made by Mr. Kadian, who termed the election process questionable and alleged ‘vote theft’, Mr. Saini said, “such claims are completely baseless and unfortunate.””
After the midnight political drama on Monday, the BJP’s Sanjay Bhatia and Congress party’s Karamvir Boudh were elected to the Rajya Sabha, following allegations of violation of vote secrecy by both sides. What looked like an easy win for Congress’s Boudh turned into a nail-biting finish, as five party MLAs cross-voted for independent Satish Nandal while four Congress ballots were declared invalid during counting. Officials said five votes were declared invalid – four of the Congress and one of the BJP. The two MLAs of the Indian National Lok Dal did not vote.
Talking to media persons, Mr. Bhupinder Hooda said alleged “The BJP has vindicated the allegations leveled by our leader, Rahul Gandhi by misusing its power and authority in this election. The fact that the BJP fielded a second candidate, the party’s Vice President, despite lacking the requisite numerical strength, demonstrates that this party holds no faith in democracy or the public mandate. It seeks to secure victory solely through manipulative tactics.”
Mr. Hooda added “The names of the five Congress MLAs who engaged in cross-voting have been forwarded to the High Command. These individuals should voluntarily resign from their posts as MLAs, otherwise, the party will initiate disciplinary action against them.”
Haryana Congress president Rao Narendra Singh said “The BJP did not want a person from an ordinary, poor, and Dalit family to reach the Rajya Sabha. All kinds of political tactics were employed to stop the Congress candidate, but ultimately, the BJP failed in its designs.”
In New Delhi, Congress MP from Rohtak Deepender Hooda held a press conference with Congress’s SC Department head Rajendra Pal Gautam, who alleged “The BJP tried to murder democracy, but Congress workers ensured victory for Karamvir Boudh Ji, who works for social justice.”
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