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Haryana Congress MLAs Return After Himachal Stay Ahead of Crucial Rajya Sabha Polls

Thirty Haryana Congress MLAs have departed from Himachal Pradesh after a three-day stay and a lunch hosted by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. The legislators were moved to the Congress-ruled state as a precautionary measure against possible poaching ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections. The BJP requires the support of nine additional legislators to secure both seats from Haryana in the upcoming poll. The MLAs are expected to be taken directly to the Haryana Assembly complex for voting on Monday.

Key Points: Haryana Congress MLAs Leave Himachal Ahead of Rajya Sabha Election

  • 30 MLAs moved to Congress-ruled state
  • Precaution against possible poaching
  • BJP needs 9 extra votes for both seats
  • Voting begins Monday 9 am
  • MLAs kept under full security
2 min read

Haryana Congress MLAs leave Kufri after lunch with Himachal CM ahead of Rajya Sabha polls

30 Haryana Congress MLAs return from Himachal after a lunch with CM Sukhu, as parties brace for Rajya Sabha polls amid poaching fears.

"shifted the MLAs to Himachal Pradesh as a precautionary measure - sources"

Kufri, March 15

Thirty MLAs of the Haryana unit of the Indian National Congress, who had been camping in Himachal Pradesh ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections, left New Kufri near Shimla on Sunday afternoon after attending a lunch hosted by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

The MLAs had reached New Kufri, located about 25 kilometres from Shimla, on Friday. Some of them were accompanied by family members and children.

On Sunday, the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister hosted lunch for the visiting legislators at a private hotel in Chharabra. Sukhu reached the venue at around 2:30 pm and left at approximately 3:50 pm after the lunch meeting.

According to sources, the Congress MLAs departed from Kufri at around 4:15 pm and are expected to halt for the night at Kasauli in Solan district.

During their three-day stay in Himachal Pradesh, the legislators were kept under full security arrangements. On Saturday, the group had lunch at a private hotel near Chail on the border of Shimla and Solan districts, where around 55 people, including the MLAs and their family members, were present.

The legislators were moved to the Congress-ruled state amid concerns within the party over possible poaching ahead of the Rajya Sabha election scheduled in the Haryana Legislative Assembly on Monday.

Two seats from Haryana are scheduled for polling. The Congress has fielded one candidate, while the Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded its own candidate and is also backing an Independent nominee.

According to the current numbers in the Assembly, the BJP would require the support of nine additional legislators to secure both seats. Amid apprehensions of possible cross-voting or attempts to lure legislators, the Congress leadership, led by former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, shifted the MLAs to Himachal Pradesh as a precautionary measure.

Voting for the Rajya Sabha seats will begin at 9:00 am on Monday, and the legislators are expected to be taken directly to the Assembly complex in Haryana for the polling, sources said.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sneha F
All this drama for a Rajya Sabha seat. Meanwhile, the common man in Haryana is worried about water, roads, and jobs. Priorities, anyone? The money spent on this "security holiday" in Himachal could have been better used.
V
Vikram M
If you have to hide your MLAs in another state to ensure they vote for your party, maybe you should work on inspiring loyalty through good work instead? Just a thought. The BJP seems confident with their numbers, Congress looks desperate.
P
Priya S
At least Himachal got some tourism revenue! Jokes aside, this is a standard practice before tight elections. All parties do it. The real question is why we need such a system where MLAs can be bought so easily.
A
Aman W
Full security, private hotels, family trips... all on the taxpayer's money for political survival. The article says they even took kids! This isn't a political strategy, it's a paid vacation. Shameful.
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, while I understand the tactical move, it paints a very weak picture of the Congress leadership in Haryana. Hooda sahab should be able to command the loyalty of his MLAs without resorting to these measures. This internal distrust is telling.
M
Meera T

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