39 of 53 candidates who lost poll attend Congress meet in Delhi

Congress candidates who lost the Haryana elections gathered in Delhi today and listed the alleged use of money power, misuse of state machinery, and EVM tampering as reasons for their defeat.

Former state minister and five-time MLA Karan Dalal, who is heading a state-level fact-finding committee on the party’s loss in Haryana, former Madhya Pradesh CM Digvijaya Singh and state’s co-incharge Jitendra Baghel, and former Union minister Birender Singh were present during the meeting.

Of 53 candidates, who lost the poll, 39 were present.

Candidates were told that the party would approach the court for electoral malpractices.

Several candidates reported that BJP influenced Independents and regional parties, causing a split in the party’s vote. “Most of the candidates reported that cash and liquor were distributed with police help. The elections were conducted in an atmosphere of fear. Independent candidates were bribed. The Election Commission anyway has been sold out,” claimed Dalal.

“After talking to the rest of the candidates, we will compile the report and hand it over to the high command for legal action,” he said.

Baghel said, “Discussions were held on various irregularities in the elections, from the misuse of EVMs to other issues. Evidence has been taken from the candidates. Whoever has the basis will provide it.”

Shamsher Singh Gogi, who was defeated from Assandh and had blamed Congress state incharge Deepak Babaria for it, did not come for the meeting.

Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee president Udai Bhan had announced the setting up of a panel to investigate the “corrupt/malpractices and manipulations committed" at the “behest of BJP govt/party candidate” on November 5.

Earlier, the Congress leaders had filed complaints alleging EVM tampering through representations on October 9, 10, 11, and 14. The ECI, while dismissing the allegations on October 29, had said, “…the commission categorically rejects all baseless allegations and apprehensions conveyed by INC regarding all aspects of the electoral process in the recently concluded election to the state assembly of Haryana”.