‘Look within’: CPI(ML) hits back as Congress points fingers after Jharkhand Rajya Sabha shock
NEW DELHI: The CPI(ML) Liberation on Thursday firmly rejected speculation that its legislators had cross-voted in the Jharkhand Rajya Sabha election, asserting that both its MLAs voted for the Congress candidate as decided. The party instead said the election outcome showed that Congress had failed to secure the support of all its own legislators, and cautioned that attempts to shift blame onto allies could damage the INDIA bloc.Also Read: Blow to INDIA bloc as JMM’s Baidhyanath Ram, independent candidate Nathwani clinches RS seat“Do not pay attention to the rumors circulating regarding the voting in the Jharkhand Rajya Sabha election. Both MLAs of the CPI(ML) have, as decided, voted for the Congress candidate. The party’s authorized agent and senior leader for this election, PBM Haladhar Mahto, and CCM Geeta Mandal, have duly verified the votes cast by the CPI(ML) MLAs,” it said in a post on X.“Jharkhand Rajya Sabha voting outcome makes it clear that Congress failed to secure the support of all its own MLAs. Before pointing fingers at others, larger parties should first look within,” the party added. “Those making such statements to protect their party or leadership are damaging the credibility of CPI(ML) and all those legislators who voted in good faith for the Congress candidate. This is not merely an attempt to malign CPI(ML), but an effort that harms the image of the entire INDIA alliance,” the CPI(ML) said.The clarification came after Congress suffered a setback in the Rajya Sabha election, with NDA-backed Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani defeating the party’s nominee Pranav Jha. JMM’s Baidhyanath Ram won the other seat.Despite the ruling INDIA bloc having the numerical strength to win both seats in the 81-member assembly, Congress managed only 20 votes. Nathwani secured 28 votes, while Ram polled 30. Three votes were declared invalid.Congress leaders alleged “horse-trading” by BJP and suggested that support expected from alliance partners had not materialised. State Congress minister Deepika Pandey summed up the party’s reaction in two words: “Dhoka hua” (We were betrayed).Congress state in-charge K Raju also blamed alliance partners, the RJD and CPI(ML) Liberation for the defeat.Meanwhile, BJP’s Koderma MLA Neera Yadav, celebrated the win by saying: “Jai Shree Ram, ho gaya kaam”.Later, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla alleged that the opposition alliance was plagued by infighting.“It is a loss for Rahul Gandhi. It is a loss for the INDI alliance and a loss for the Congress. It shows that Rahul Gandhi is not a cool prime ministerial candidate. He is a ‘burden for the INDI alliance,” Poonawalla said in a video statement.“Once again, the INDI alliance is in tatters and has demonstrated an uncanny ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory because of infighting,” he said.
