Ever since the presidential elections concluded yesterday, all signs are indicating that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA nominee Draupadi Murmu is one step closer to the win. According to sources, the elections witnessed cross-voting, and this has become a topic of discussion among the parties.
A total of 178 Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) of Gujarat cast their vote in the presidential election. Kandhal Jadeja, an NCP MLA from Kutiyana constituency of Porbandar district, told reporters that he had voted for the NDA candidate. He said, “I have voted for BJP (supported candidate)… I have to stay in Gujarat… My work is being done and I vote as per the development works of my constituency. I do not vote with any selfish motive.”
However, his statements have raised questions from the party leaders. Gujarat NCP president Jayant Patel said that all leaders were instructed to vote for the Congress-backed candidate, although no written decree was issued. Nevertheless, Jadeja’s actions defy Congress and so cannot be tolerated. He also informed that the party had written to Jadeja and demanded an explanation. Appropriate action will be taken against him.
Among other leaders who are said to have cross-voted is Haryana Congress MLA Kuldeep Bishnoi. He has hinted that he too voted for Murmu. He said, “I have cast my vote in this election as per my conscience. I will reveal this soon.”
In Odisha, Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim also announced that he had voted for Murmu. He said “I am an Odia. I voted in favour of Draupadi Murmu as she is a daughter of Odisha. I went by my conscience. MLAs cannot be prevented from listening to their conscience.”
The Election Commission announced earlier that 99% of the parliamentarians and legislators across the country cast their votes. There was a 100% turnout from Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Puducherry, Sikkim, and Tamil Nadu. Ballot boxes from different states were securely flown to Delhi, where the counting will take place on July 21. The next president will take oath on July 25.
