Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday mounted a sharp attack on the Congress over the Rajya Sabha elections, alleging that the party itself is guilty of undermining democratic principles. Terming Congress's claim of ‘murder of democracy’ as politically motivated, he said such assertions betray the party’s frustration and that its own statements have, in fact, weakened democratic discourse.
Speaking during the ongoing Budget Session of the State Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said the issue did not formally arise for discussion in the House. However, he noted that senior member Dr. Raghubir Singh Kadian, a former Speaker, had questioned the necessity of fielding a third candidate.
He also referred to remarks made to the media by MLA Geeta Bhukkal, who alleged that government ministers had sought to poach Congress MLAs. The Chief Minister clarified that the third candidate was not backed by them, but was an independent candidate fielded by independent members.
He emphasized that in a democracy, every individual has the right to contest elections. The independent candidate had approached them for support and had also sought votes from the Congress. Ultimately, those who chose to back him did so in accordance with their conscience.
There should be no objection to that. The attempts to cast aspersions on the process were unwarranted, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.