Rajasthan Congress Forms Committee to Probe Cross-Voting Allegations

The Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) has constituted a nine-member committee to investigate complaints of cross-voting and other irregularities during the recently concluded municipal elections in the state. The committee, headed by former Assembly Speaker CP Joshi, has been asked to submit its report within seven days. According to party sources, Congress is preparing to take disciplinary action against councillors who won on the party symbol but voted for BJP candidates in the mayor and chairman elections held in 309 urban local bodies. Party leaders said reports identifying councillors suspected of cross-voting have been prepared from different districts. More than 400 Congress councillors are reportedly under scrutiny, though the exact number facing disciplinary action will be decided after the inquiry. PCC president Govind Singh Dotasra has formed the committee that includes Ram Singh Kaswan, Murari Lal Meena, Kuldeep Indora, Pramod Jain Bhaya, Shakuntala Rawat, Hakeem Ali, Ganesh Ghoghara and Raghuveer Singh Rathore as members. The panel will examine complaints received by the state Congress from several municipal bodies, including Bhilwara, Pali and Bharatpur, and submit its findings along with its comments to the PCC chief. The issue has also reached the AICC, with the party leadership expressing concern over cross-voting and rebellion in several municipal corporations, including Bikaner, Bharatpur, Ajmer, Kota and Pali. Dotasra was summoned to Delhi and asked to take action against those responsible, according to party sources. The party is also facing questions over the situation in Bhilwara, where 17 Congress candidates reportedly did not receive their symbols on time after they were issued from Jaipur. The incident followed differences between two Congress leaders, Dheeraj Gurjar and Ramlal Jat, who had opposed Dotasra. PCC officials said the Bhilwara matter could be dealt with by the AICC in Delhi rather than the state unit. Congress sources said the party’s central leadership, including Rahul Gandhi and KC Venugopal, had taken note of the incident. The disciplinary action over cross-voting is likely to be taken after the CP Joshi-led committee submits its report. The inquiry will examine the complaints received by the PCC and establish the facts before the party decides on suspension or other action against councillors.