'BJP is Using Cops to Quit MLA's from the Party' : Congress

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The Congress today levelled a very serious charge against the BJP. It said the BJP is taking away their legislators in Gujarat ahead of the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. 

The matter was raised in the Rajya Sabha by Deputy Leader of Opposition, Congress' Anand Sharma. He charged the BJP with using the police to woo away Congress' legislators in Gujarat. "If you are in government, you'll rob MLAs?" Sharma questioned. 

Yesterday, three Congress MLAs, including the party's chief whip, Balwantsinh Rajput, quit the party. Rajput was immediately offered a ticket by the BJP to contest the Rajya Sabha elections from the state.

 This, the Congress cited as a clear example of the BJP orchestrating "defections". "One MLA, PI Patel, after a CLP meeting went to another MLA's residence for tea.  Now your Gujarat police will decide who the Congress will give a ticket to?" asked a visibly angry Ghulam Nabi Azad. 

Patel resigned from the Congress yesterday. Azad alleged that the concerned District Superintendent of Police has been to jail on encounter charges and is currently out on bail.

Their LoP in Gujarat leaves party, their MLAs leave. They cross-vote in Presidential elections. Why is he complaining here? Why is he defaming Gujarat?" Congress demanded the Chair, Rajya Sabha to direct Election Commission to conduct free and fair elections. 

Deputy Chairman PV Kurien said he could not do that and the Congress should approach the Election Commission if they have a complaint.

 Minister of state for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi quipped, "Their (Congress) problem is their house is crumbling. 

They can't manage their house and are rather screaming around in the neighbourhood about it." Rajya Sabha kept getting adjourned over disruptions by the Congress on this issue. 

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