Presidential Election: MP Baijayant raises questions over veracity of polls

Bhubaneswar: Sparking a fresh debate over ‘cross-voting’, BJD’s Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda on Tuesday alleged that few MP’s allegedly voted against party’s decision in the Presidential Election held yesterday.

Panda has questioned as to why political parties take stand during President and Vice President Election as there is no provision for party whip.

‘Why do parties take sides on President and Vice President when no means to enforce? Unlike RS electn these not open w/whip. Some MPs allegedly voted difftly yday,”  Panda tweeted.

Why do parties take sides on Prez/VP when no means to enforce? Unlike RS electn these not open w/whip. Some MPs allegdly voted difftly yday?

— Baijayant Jay Panda (@PandaJay) July 18, 2017

Panda’s statement is likely to stir a fresh controversy in the backdrop that few Congress leaders had expressed apprehension about a possible ‘crossing voting’ during Presidential polls especially by BJD leaders prior to elections.

Congress Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati on June 27 had stated that, ‘as UPA backed candidate Meira Kumar is popular among the intellectual masses, MPs of several political parties including Shiv Sena, BJP and BJD may vote for her.’

However, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and BJD supremo ahead of the Presidential polls on July 14 had clearly ruled out cross voting by party leaders.

The statements of Patnaik had come after his meeting with National Democratic Alliance (NDA’s) Presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind at Bhubaneswar.