
Mon Mar 30 19:47:58 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Haryana Congress Alleges Illegalities in Rajya Sabha Election, Demands Probe
The Story:
The Haryana Congress party has formally lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India (EC) regarding alleged irregularities in the recent Rajya Sabha election for two seats in the state. The party accuses Returning Officer Pankaj Aggarwal of biased conduct and demands an investigation into his actions. The complaint centers around the rejection of four Congress votes, which the party claims were illegally invalidated, impacting the election of their candidate Karamvir Singh Boudh.
Key Points:
- The Haryana Congress submitted a representation to the EC on March 31, 2026, alleging illegalities in the Rajya Sabha election.
- The Congress accuses Returning Officer Pankaj Aggarwal of acting in a “totally illegal and partial manner.”
- The party demands that all four rejected votes be counted in favor of their candidate, Karamvir Singh Boudh.
- Sanjay Bhatia of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Mr. Boudh were elected to the Rajya Sabha after high political drama on March 16, 2026.
- Five Congress MLAs allegedly cross-voted for an independent candidate, Satish Nandal.
- Five votes were declared invalid – four from Congress and one from the BJP.
- Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda stated the party is prepared to move the Punjab and Haryana High Court if necessary.
- The party has served show-cause notices to five MLAs for alleged cross-voting, with the disciplinary committee meeting on April 3, 2026, to hear their side of the story.
Key Takeaways:
- The Haryana Congress is aggressively challenging the outcome of the Rajya Sabha election, indicating a high level of distrust in the electoral process.
- Allegations of cross-voting within the Congress party highlight internal divisions and potential instability.
- The Election Commission is under pressure to investigate the alleged irregularities and maintain the integrity of the electoral process.
- The possibility of legal action in the Punjab and Haryana High Court suggests the Congress is prepared for a protracted battle.