Jharkhand gives anti-defection law a big miss in RS elections
The cash-and-carry UPA government in Jharkhand has set a new record in sleaze politics when the members of the ruling side cocked a snook at the anti-defection law and indulged in a three-way voting for candidates who entered the fray as UPA nomin...
By TNN |
NEW DELHI: The cash-and-carry UPA government in Jharkhand on Wednesday set a new record in sleaze politics when the members of the ruling side cocked a snook at the anti-defection law and indulged in a three-way voting for candidates who entered the fray as UPA nominees for the lone the seat it could win.
The BJP, which held on to its flock, managed additional numbers from JD(U) and AJSU. The five members of the rebel faction led by Babu Lal Marandi also fell in line after the BJP issued a whip to vote in favour of its candidate. BJP candidate Jaiprakash Narain Singh got 35 votes ��� seven more than what was required to win the election.
The election loudly announced that UPA members have given the ethical conduct a go by. While chief minister Madhu Koda abstained from voting he had the luxury to do so as he is an independent members of the UPA voted for candidates who quoted highest price for their backing.
The voting pattern was like this: Delhi-based Kishori Lal, who was declared as UPA official nominee by the Front���s chairman in Jharkhand Shibu Soren, got the least number of votes: Eight. Incidentally, 11 members had signed on his nomination papers. The second candidate sponsored by the UPA, Delhi-based lawyer RK Anand, won 17 votes. The third candidate backed by a section of the UPA Parimal Nathwani, group president, corporate affairs of Reliance Industries, got 16 votes.
In the end Ahmedabad-based Nathwani was declared elected as he got five second preference votes from the Marandi group. The other two nominees did not get any second preference votes. The development in Jharkhand was not unexpected as lure of money and not party affiliation has been dictating political reflexes of UPA politicians.
That the Congress leadership���s writ just does not run in the state was clear when its MLAs participated in the election even after Delhi asked them to stay away from in view of allegations of large-scale corruption.
Wednesday���s ugliest electoral combat is certain to have its impact on the Congress standing in the state. With Bihar almost out of bounds for the Congress, 14 seats from Jharkhand are critical for the party. The only consolation for the Congress was complete paralysis in the rival BJP camp. The Congress leadership, which routinely lectures on its commitment to clean politics, will find it hard to explain the behaviour of its MLAs in Jharkhand. It is also a reminder that the party cannot delay a call on the future of the Koda government.
The BJP, which held on to its flock, managed additional numbers from JD(U) and AJSU. The five members of the rebel faction led by Babu Lal Marandi also fell in line after the BJP issued a whip to vote in favour of its candidate. BJP candidate Jaiprakash Narain Singh got 35 votes ��� seven more than what was required to win the election.
The election loudly announced that UPA members have given the ethical conduct a go by. While chief minister Madhu Koda abstained from voting he had the luxury to do so as he is an independent members of the UPA voted for candidates who quoted highest price for their backing.
The voting pattern was like this: Delhi-based Kishori Lal, who was declared as UPA official nominee by the Front���s chairman in Jharkhand Shibu Soren, got the least number of votes: Eight. Incidentally, 11 members had signed on his nomination papers. The second candidate sponsored by the UPA, Delhi-based lawyer RK Anand, won 17 votes. The third candidate backed by a section of the UPA Parimal Nathwani, group president, corporate affairs of Reliance Industries, got 16 votes.
In the end Ahmedabad-based Nathwani was declared elected as he got five second preference votes from the Marandi group. The other two nominees did not get any second preference votes. The development in Jharkhand was not unexpected as lure of money and not party affiliation has been dictating political reflexes of UPA politicians.
That the Congress leadership���s writ just does not run in the state was clear when its MLAs participated in the election even after Delhi asked them to stay away from in view of allegations of large-scale corruption.
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The goings on in Jharkhand is sure to be discomforting for the Congress as the government backed by it has thrown to winds concerns of cleanliness in public life. It is unable to take a view on the state as it has virtually handed over decision-making to the RJD and its chief Lalu Yadav.Wednesday���s ugliest electoral combat is certain to have its impact on the Congress standing in the state. With Bihar almost out of bounds for the Congress, 14 seats from Jharkhand are critical for the party. The only consolation for the Congress was complete paralysis in the rival BJP camp. The Congress leadership, which routinely lectures on its commitment to clean politics, will find it hard to explain the behaviour of its MLAs in Jharkhand. It is also a reminder that the party cannot delay a call on the future of the Koda government.
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