The Congress party named four of its five Haryana MLAs accused of cross-voting in the March 16 Rajya Sabha elections, where its candidate Karamvir Boudh won by just one vote. Haryana in-charge BK Hariprasad told reporters in Delhi that Shally Chaudhary, Renu Bala, Mohammad Ilyas and Mohammad Israil cross-voted. Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against them.
Haryana's Rajya Sabha elections on March 16, 2026, saw two seats contested in the state assembly. BJP's Sanjay Bhatia secured one, while Congress's Karamvir Boudh received 28 votes and won by a single vote against an Independent candidate backed by the BJP. Congress had 37 MLAs, but five cross-voted, invalidating five to six ballots. On March 18, party Haryana in-charge BK Hariprasad named four at a Delhi press conference: Naraingarh MLA Shally Chaudhary, Sadhaura MLA Renu Bala, Punhana MLA Mohammad Ilyas, and Hathin MLA Mohammad Israil. He stated, “Bhupinder Singh Hooda and I were the authorised agents... we saw every ballot of our MLAs. We have recommended show-cause notices to the disciplinary committee.” Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda confirmed five cross-votes on March 17. Shally Chaudhary's husband, Ram Kishan Gujjar, one of three acting Haryana Congress presidents, resigned on Tuesday and called allegations baseless. Mohammad Israil posted on social media terming reports “completely misleading and baseless.” Renu Bala and Mohammad Ilyas were unavailable. Political analyst Kushal Pal noted the close win exposed indiscipline and factionalism but praised crisis management. Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini dismissed Congress claims, stating votes for the Independent were by conscience and democratic.
