RJD Responds to Congresss Cross Voting Allegations in Jharkhand

Ranchi, June 19: The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has hit back after Congress accused its legislators of cross voting in the Rajya Sabha elections. The RJD claims that some Congress members may have struck a deal with the BJP. This statement has exposed clear rifts within the India alliance.

Following the defeat of Congress candidate Pranav Jha, Jharkhand Congress in-charge K. Raju stated that Congress and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) legislators voted as expected, while RJD and CPI-ML did not support the candidate. He alleged that some members from these parties cross voted for the NDA-backed candidate.

In response, Sanjay Prasad Yadav, a minister in the Jharkhand government and RJD leader, remarked, “Our leader Lalu Prasad Yadav and the RJD’s ideology can never compromise with the BJP and RSS. However, K. Raju’s accusations of cross voting against us and CPI-ML reflect Congress’s longstanding character. K. Raju knows well that his party’s legislators are divided into factions. It is possible that some of them made a deal with the BJP and voted accordingly. Now, the blame is being shifted onto the RJD.”

RJD’s National General Secretary Bhola Yadav echoed similar sentiments, stating, “We came here to participate in the elections, and our members voted for the Congress candidate. The Congress in-charge is making baseless statements to cover up their mistakes. I reject and condemn their claims.”

During a press conference, RJD legislator Suresh Paswan affirmed, “We stand firmly with the Hemant Soren government. It is the Congress legislators and K. Raju who have betrayed us. The RJD is with Hemant Soren.”

Sanjay Kumar Singh Yadav, President of Jharkhand RJD, mentioned, “Whenever Congress has faced difficulties, our leaders have supported them.” He added, “We are accountable to our party leadership, not to Congress.”

Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Shama Mohammad reiterated her party’s allegations, stating, “In Karnataka, we won all five Rajya Sabha seats, so do not blame Congress. The cross voting was done by RJD and CPI-ML.”