Congress urges Haryana Governor to probe ‘misuse of government machinery’

Senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda. File
| Photo Credit:
PTI

Days after the Congress alleged irregularities in the conduct of the Rajya Sabha election in Haryana, party leaders on Thursday (March 19, 2026) met Governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh and demanded an inquiry into the alleged misuse of government machinery by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

A memorandum had been submitted to the Governor, alleging collusion between the BJP and the Election Officer during the election held for two Rajya Sabha seats, the Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, the Congress’s Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who led the delegation, said.

The Haryana Legislative Assembly has 90 members, including 48 from the BJP, 37 from the Congress, two from the Indian National Lok Dal, and three Independent MLAs. A minimum of 31 votes was required to secure one Rajya Sabha seat.

“Under normal circumstances, both the BJP and the Congress were poised to win one seat each. However, in an unexpected move, the BJP fielded its own Vice President, Satish Nandal, as an Independent candidate, a move supported by seven BJP MLAs who acted as proposers. This a clear instance of political horse-trading, inducement, intimidation, institutional pressure, and misuse of government machinery by the ruling party,” Mr. Hooda said.

The Congress Legislature Party has requested the Governor, in his capacity as the Constitutional guardian of the State, to order an inquiry into alleged unethical and undemocratic conduct, to direct the government to uphold democratic values, decency, and discipline, and to ensure that appropriate disciplinary action is taken against the Election Officer, Mr. Hooda said.