Uproar in Haryana Assembly after Congress secures wafer thin win in Rajya Sabha polls

The Haryana Assembly on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, witnessed uproar from Congress opposition members who questioned the Rajya Sabha election process and alleged that the poll exercise amounted to “suppression of democracy”.

Congress MLAs and ruling members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had a sharp exchange of words over the elections to two Rajya Sabha seats that resulted in ‘cross-voting’ and technical disqualification by Congress MLAs.

After the question hour, Congress MLA Raghuvir Singh Kadian and Opposition leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda of the Congress Party raised the issue, claiming that democracy had been killed and the reputation of the Rajya Sabha polls had taken a hit.

Congress MLAs raised slogans of “vote, gaddi chhod” and stormed the House of Representatives. The BJP MPs raised nine fingers, pointing out the nine votes that the Congress lost due to cross-voting and were declared invalid. While the chaos continued, the House was adjourned for a briefing by Speaker Harvinder Kalyan. Congress members created commotion again after lunch, following which the Speaker named eight MLAs. Congress MLAs then went on strike.

Taking a look at the Congress, Prime Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that the BJP successfully got its candidate Sanjay Bhatia elected to the Rajya Sabha. “In a democracy, every individual has the right to participate in elections and supporting an Independent candidate is within democratic norms. If the opposition had objections, they were free to put forward their own candidate. Why didn’t they?” He joked, adding that the Independent candidate applied to them for support and they extended this support. Reacting harshly to the statements of Mr. Kadian, who described the election process as controversial and alleged ‘vote theft’, Mr. Saini said, “Such allegations are completely unfounded and unfortunate.”

Following midnight political drama on Monday, BJP’s Sanjay Bhatia and Congress Party’s Karamvir Boudh were elected to the Rajya Sabha following allegations that both parties had violated vote secrecy. What looked like an easy win for Congress’s Boudh turned into a thrilling outcome when five party MLAs cross-voted for independent Satish Nandal and four Congress votes were declared invalid during counting. Officials said five votes – four from the Congress and one from the BJP – were declared invalid. Two MLAs of the Indian National Lok Dal did not vote.

Speaking to media persons, Mr. Bhupinder Hooda said: “BJP has misused its power and authority in this election, confirming the allegations made by our leader Rahul Gandhi. The fact that the BJP fielded a second candidate, the Vice President of the party, despite not having the required numerical strength, shows that this party has no faith in democracy or public duty. It is trying to secure victory only through manipulative tactics.”

Mr. Hooda said, “The names of the five cross-voting Congress MPs have been forwarded to the High Command. These people must voluntarily resign from their MP posts, failing which the party will initiate disciplinary action against them.”

Haryana Congress chief Rao Narendra Singh said, “BJP did not want someone from an ordinary, poor and Dalit family to reach the Rajya Sabha. All kinds of political tactics were used to stop the Congress candidate, but ultimately the BJP failed in its designs.”

In New Delhi, Deepender Hooda, Congress MP from Rohtak, held a press conference with Congress’ SC Department chief Rajendra Pal Gautam and said, “BJP tried to kill democracy, but Congress workers ensured the victory of Karamvir Boudh Ji, who worked for social justice.”