Mar 17 • 09:57 UTC 🇮🇳 India Aaj Tak (Hindi)

Cross Voting... Why can't the opposition keep its legislators together in the Rajya Sabha elections?

The article discusses the impact of cross voting during the recent Rajya Sabha elections in India, focusing particularly on opposition struggles in Bihar.

In the recent Rajya Sabha elections, which included 37 seats with competitive voting primarily in Bihar, Haryana, and Odisha, the opposition parties faced significant challenges, particularly in Bihar, resulting in unexpected losses. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidates secured victories in 9 out of the 11 contested seats, with Congress and BJD winning the remaining two seats. However, it was the Congress party that faced the most significant betrayal from its own legislators, particularly in Bihar, where strategic alliances were undermined.

The article highlights the phenomenon of cross voting, where some legislators did not adhere to party lines during the critical voting period. In Rajasthan, the alliances forged by opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav with other parties like BSP and AIMIM collapsed due to the last-minute defection of a few MLAs from both Congress and RJD, leading to a reversal of expected outcomes. This betrayal showcased the vulnerability of opposition parties in maintaining a cohesive front against the NDA amid tactical maneuvering.

Moreover, it sheds light on specific incidents of cross voting during the elections held on March 16, with instances of certain legislators going missing or deliberately avoiding the vote altogether, which ultimately affected the results. The article emphasizes the need for opposition parties to foster stronger unity and trust among their members, as the current situation indicates a critical weakness that could influence upcoming elections significantly.

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