Haryana Congress Row: 2 MLAs Deny Cross-Voting, Say They Backed Party Candidate

The political controversy within the Indian National Congress in Haryana continues to intensify, as two MLAs have denied allegations of cross-voting in the recent Rajya Sabha elections.

Naraingarh MLA Shalley Chaudhary and Ratia MLA Jarnail Singh have responded to show-cause notices, stating that they voted in favour of the party’s official candidate, Karamvir Singh Boudh.

“We Showed Our Votes to Leadership”

According to sources, both MLAs claimed that they had shown their ballots to senior leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda, rejecting any suggestion of cross-voting. Their response comes after the party issued notices on March 20 to five MLAs accused of supporting a BJP-backed Independent candidate during the March 16 Rajya Sabha polls.

MLAs Under Scanner

The notices were sent to:

Shalley Chaudhary (Naraingarh)

Jarnail Singh (Ratia) 

Mohd Ilyas (Punahana)

Mohd Israil (Hathin)

Renu Bala (Sadhaura)

While Chaudhary and Jarnail Singh have submitted replies, the other three MLAs are yet to formally respond.

Mixed Signals from Other MLAs

Hathin MLA Mohd Israil, while addressing a public gathering, hinted at a broader political stance, saying the public would decide his future and that his actions were aimed at development. However, he has not yet submitted a reply to the notice.

Similarly, senior MLA Mohd Ilyas has also not responded so far, even after recently meeting Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.

Party Calls It ‘Serious Indiscipline’ 

In the notices, the Congress termed the alleged cross-voting a “deliberate attempt” to defeat its official candidate, calling it a serious violation of party discipline and ideological commitment. 

The MLAs were given seven days to respond.

Political Fallout Continues

The controversy has already had political repercussions. Following the allegations, Shalley Chaudhary’s husband, Ram Kishan Gujjar, resigned from his position as Haryana Congress working president.

With replies coming in and others still pending, the episode has exposed internal divisions within the party, and further action is likely depending on the responses received.