Rajya Sabha Election: RJD hits back at Congress over allegations of cross-voting for BJP

Ranchi: The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) hit back on Friday after the Congress accused RJD MLAs of cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha elections. The party alleged that it was likely some Congress MLAs themselves who struck a deal with the BJP. This statement has brought the internal rifts within the INDIA alliance out into the open.

Following the defeat of Congress candidate Pranav Jha in the Rajya Sabha elections, Jharkhand Congress in-charge K. Raju had stated that while Congress and JMM MLAs voted as expected, the RJD and CPI(ML) did not extend their support. He alleged that some MLAs from these parties cross-voted in favor of the NDA-backed candidate.

What did RJD tell the Congress over cross voting for BJP-RSS?

Reacting to these allegations, Sanjay Prasad Yadav—an RJD leader and minister in the Jharkhand government—stated that the ideology of party leader Lalu Prasad Yadav and the RJD can never compromise with the BJP and RSS. However, he remarked that the manner in which Congress leader K. Raju accused them and the CPI(ML) of cross-voting reflects the Congress party's long-standing character. K. Raju is well aware that his party's MLAs are divided into various factions; it is possible that some of them struck a deal with the BJP and voted accordingly. "Now, the responsibility for this is being shifted onto the RJD."

Did all RJD MLAs voted in favor of the Congress candidate?

RJD National General Secretary Bhola Yadav echoed similar sentiments. He stated, "We came here to participate in the election, and our members voted for the Congress candidate. The Congress in-charge here is making baseless statements to cover up his own mistakes. I reject and condemn his statements."

Does RJD stand with Hemant Soren?

Addressing a press conference, RJD MLA Suresh Paswan said, "We stand firmly with the Hemant Soren government. It is the Congress MLAs and K. Raju who have committed the betrayal. The Rashtriya Janata Dal stands with Hemant Soren." Jharkhand RJD President Sanjay Kumar Singh Yadav stated that whenever the Congress has faced difficulties, party leaders have supported it. He added that he is accountable to his party's leadership, not to the Congress.