President polls: Congress fears cross voting by Maharashtra MLA
MUMBAI: Even as the Congress tries to build an Opposition consensus for the presidential polls, some of its leaders have doubts on whether all Congress MLAs from Maharashtra and Karnataka will vote for the party's choice. They believe that the presidential poll could see cross voting from a section of MLAs in Maharashtra.
"We fear that around 12 MLAs would cross vote. We believe that the BJP is already in touch with them," said a Congress leader. Congress leaders believe the BJP had contacted a few MLAs much before the presidential polls.
"The contact was established not to seek votes for the presidential polls but support in case the Sena pulls out of the government, or BJP decides to end the association with Sena," the Congress leader said.
Meanwhile, when asked about the fears of cross voting, Congress state chief Ashok Chavan said, " The presidential polls is very prestigious. I have no doubts that the Congress MLAs will not do any such thing (cross voting). There is simply noreason to question the integrity and honesty of our MLAs."
When asked about this, a BJP leader said that there could be "some surprises" in store during the presidential polls. There is talk in BJP and Congress circles that the presidential polls could lead to a break in BJP's alliance with the Shiv Sena.
"The BJP is not confident about Sena supporting its candidate for the presidential elections. If the Sena decides to oppose the NDA candidate, then relations between the two parties could rapidly deteriorate and our MLAs in touch with the BJP could come in handy to save the BJP government from falling," the Congress leader added.
"We fear that around 12 MLAs would cross vote. We believe that the BJP is already in touch with them," said a Congress leader. Congress leaders believe the BJP had contacted a few MLAs much before the presidential polls.
"The contact was established not to seek votes for the presidential polls but support in case the Sena pulls out of the government, or BJP decides to end the association with Sena," the Congress leader said.
Meanwhile, when asked about the fears of cross voting, Congress state chief Ashok Chavan said, " The presidential polls is very prestigious. I have no doubts that the Congress MLAs will not do any such thing (cross voting). There is simply noreason to question the integrity and honesty of our MLAs."
When asked about this, a BJP leader said that there could be "some surprises" in store during the presidential polls. There is talk in BJP and Congress circles that the presidential polls could lead to a break in BJP's alliance with the Shiv Sena.
"The BJP is not confident about Sena supporting its candidate for the presidential elections. If the Sena decides to oppose the NDA candidate, then relations between the two parties could rapidly deteriorate and our MLAs in touch with the BJP could come in handy to save the BJP government from falling," the Congress leader added.