Haryana Speaker: Kiran Choudhry Still in Congress According to Official Records

In a recent press conference, Haryana Legislative Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta addressed the controversy surrounding the dismissal of a Congress petition seeking to disqualify Tosham MLA Kiran Choudhry. The Speaker's statements have shed light on the complex situation and sparked discussions about political allegiances and electoral processes in the state. 

Gupta firmly stated that according to official Vidhan Sabha records, Kiran Choudhry remains a member of the Congress party. He emphasized that Choudhry would continue to be considered part of the Congress until she either resigns or is formally disqualified. This clarification comes amidst speculation about Choudhry's political affiliations, with rumors suggesting her shift to the BJP.

The Speaker took aim at Congress leaders, particularly chief whip BB Batra and Deputy CLP leader Aftab Ahmed, for their allegations of bias. Gupta dismissed these claims, stating that the petition was rejected due to procedural errors rather than political motivations. He pointed out that the Congress leaders had failed to follow the proper rules for filing such a petition, including the requirement for signatures and verification as per the Civil Procedure Code.

Gupta expressed doubts about the legal expertise of the Congress leaders involved, suggesting that they should have been more familiar with the rulebook given their law backgrounds. He stressed that a formal petition, not just a notice, is required for such disqualification requests.

In response to accusations of ignoring Supreme Court principles, Gupta defended his actions, implying that the Congress should reflect on its own past handling of similar situations. He recalled instances where the party had delayed action on petitions for extended periods during their time in power.

The press conference took an unexpected turn when Gupta raised concerns about potential voter fraud in the Panchkula constituency. He revealed that BJP workers had discovered nearly 4,000 voters in 23 booths who were either deceased or had relocated. Gupta extrapolated this data, suggesting that up to 40,000 votes in Panchkula alone could be fraudulent if the trend holds across all booths. 

This allegation of widespread voter list inaccuracies has raised serious questions about the integrity of recent elections, including Lok Sabha polls. Gupta expressed his apprehension about conducting future elections based on these potentially flawed voter lists, highlighting the need for a thorough review of electoral rolls across the state.