Rajya Sabha Elections: Congress moves Madhya Pradesh MLAs to Karnataka, levels poaching charge at BJP

Fearing cross-voting ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections, Congress has shifted its Madhya Pradesh MLAs to Karnataka while accusing the BJP of attempting to lure legislators with money offers.

New Delhi: Ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh, the Congress has shifted its MLAs to Karnataka, accusing the BJP of attempting to poach legislators to influence the outcome of the polls.

The move comes amid growing political tension over the June 18 Rajya Sabha elections, where every vote is expected to play a crucial role.

MLAs Relocated After Emergency Meeting

The decision was reportedly taken after a late-night meeting of the Congress Legislature Party at the residence of Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar.

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According to party leaders, nearly 60 Congress MLAs attended the meeting, while senior Congress leader Kamal Nath joined virtually. Congress MLA Vijay Revanath Choure confirmed that all legislators were being shifted to Bengaluru in Congress-ruled Karnataka.

Congress Claims “Bags Full of Notes” Offered

Umang Singhar alleged that BJP leaders attempted to influence Congress MLAs with money offers. He claimed several legislators informed him they were approached with “bags full of notes” but refused the proposals.

The Congress leadership said relocating MLAs was necessary to prevent cross-voting and ensure unity within the party ahead of polling day.

Numbers Game Makes Election Crucial

The 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly forms the electoral college for the Rajya Sabha polls. With one vacancy, the effective strength of the House currently stands at 229, meaning a candidate requires 58 first-preference votes to win.

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The Bharatiya Janata Party currently holds 164 MLAs, while Congress has 64 members. On paper, the BJP is comfortably placed to win two of the three seats but falls short of the numbers required for a third victory without additional support.

Congress has nominated Meenakshi Natarajan, while the BJP has fielded Tarun Chugh, Rajneesh Agrawal, and Mahesh Kewat.

Memories of 2020 Political Crisis

The Congress’s cautious approach is also influenced by memories of the 2020 political crisis in Madhya Pradesh, when the Kamal Nath-led government collapsed after Jyotiraditya Scindia and several Congress MLAs joined the BJP.

Political observers believe the latest developments have turned the Rajya Sabha elections into a high-stakes prestige battle between the two parties.