Rajya Sabha elections: Pinarayi Vijayan alleges Congress helped BJP in Odisha and Bihar

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has accused the Congress of indirectly helping the BJP in Rajya Sabha elections, pointing to reported cross-voting in Odisha and political manoeuvring such as resignations in other states. He cited developments in Odisha and Bihar as evidence of a wider pattern affecting Upper House outcomes.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday accused the Congress of helping the BJP during key Rajya Sabha votes. Vijayan linked the charge to election outcomes in Odisha and Bihar. Vijayan said Congress behaviour in legislatures often differs from public messaging. Vijayan made the remarks in a statement.

Vijayan pointed to the biennial Rajya Sabha elections in Bihar held on Monday. The ruling NDA won all five seats in the state. Those elected were Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, Union Minister Ram Nath Thakur, BJP leader Shivesh Kumar, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha.

Rajya Sabha elections: Vijayan cites Bihar voting pattern

Officials said absentee voting played a role in Bihar’s outcome. At least three Congress MLAs did not turn up to vote. One MLA from the Rashtriya Janata Dal also stayed away. Vijayan said such actions helped the NDA secure victory. Vijayan argued this supported the charge of indirect support.

Vijayan also referred to voting for four Rajya Sabha seats in Odisha on Monday. Reports said at least five MLAs from the opposition Biju Janata Dal and Congress cross-voted. The cross-votes were said to favour a BJP-supported Independent candidate. Vijayan said the episode added weight to the broader allegation.

Rajya Sabha elections: Claims of cross-voting and resignations

Vijayan said the Odisha and Bihar developments reflected a wider trend. "This is not an isolated incident. In several states, it is the Congress that has created conditions for the BJP to gain additional Rajya Sabha seats through MLA resignations, cross-voting and political manoeuvring,\" Vijayan said.

Vijayan said Congress campaigning and legislative actions did not match. \"The results of todays Rajya Sabha elections once again confirm the reality that the Congress party functions as the B-team of the Sangh Parivar,\" Vijayan said. Vijayan added Congress raised slogans against the BJP in public. Vijayan said Congress choices often aided BJP wins.

Vijayan described this as a repeated political method during tight contests. \"Anti-BJP slogans in public, but support for the BJP in practice -- this is the real politics of the Congress,\" Vijayan said. \"The Congress claiming to be the leader of secular politics while shamelessly helping the BJP is nothing but a mockery of Indian democracy,\" Vijayan added.

With inputs from PTI