Nandal mulls moving HC after narrow Rajya Sabha poll defeat
Former BJP state vice-president questions validity of Beniwal’s vote
BJP leader Satish Nandal, who narrowly lost the Rajya Sabha election as an Independent candidate, on Wednesday said he was considering approaching the Punjab and Haryana High Court to challenge the validity of a vote cast by Congress MLA from Ellenabad Bharat Singh Beniwal.
Nandal also disclosed that he had resigned from the post of BJP state vice-president after filing his nomination on March 5, asserting that his candidature demonstrated how Independents could attract significant support in Rajya Sabha polls.
“Beniwal’s vote is completely invalid. I was present when he cast his vote. The Congress observer touched him while he was showing his vote, which is against the rules. The party observers are allowed to see the vote but cannot physically touch the MLA,” Nandal said. “I am considering approaching the high court to seek cancellation of this vote and am currently examining the legal options.”
He said an objection had been raised before the Returning Officer at the time, requesting that the vote be declared invalid, but it was rejected. “Still, I consider it an invalid vote,” he added.
The contest for two Rajya Sabha seats turned triangular after Nandal entered the fray at the eleventh hour as an Independent. Eventually, BJP’s Sanjay Bhatia and Congress candidate Karamvir Singh Boudh emerged victorious.
Claiming he came close to winning, Nandal said, “I had appealed to all MLAs for their votes and many had assured me of support. Several Congress MLAs did vote for me, but overall support was insufficient, resulting in my narrow defeat by just 0.33 points.”
Referring to the INLD, Nandal said he had met its leadership twice seeking support. “I was assured of their votes, but the INLD MLAs abstained from voting. This is not right in a democracy — every representative must cast their vote to strengthen the system. I would have won had the INLD MLAs voted,” he claimed.
He also targeted the Congress, alleging, “The Congress did not trust its MLAs, which is why it moved them to Himachal Pradesh before the election and brought them back on polling day. The Congress has lost its base among the people.”
Responding to criticism over his candidature, Nandal said, “Everyone has the right to contest elections in a democracy, and I contested it in a proper and well manner.”
