BHUBANESWAR: BJD MP Baijayant Panda has again created ripples in political circles by alleging that some MPs allegedly cross-voted in Monday's Presidential election.
In a tweet, Panda has raised questions about political parties announcing support for candidates in Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections when there is no means to enforce it. Unlike the Rajya Sabha elections, there is a no provision for issuing whip in election to the posts of President and Vice-President, he said. "Why do parties take sides on Prez/VP when no means to enforce? Unlike RS electn these not open w/whip. Some MPs allegdly voted difftly yday," he tweeted.
Although Panda has not mentioned, MPs from which parties voted differently, his tweet has given credence to claim by Congress leaders that there was cross-voting from BJD in favour of UPA Presidential candidate Meira Kumar. His tweets have also raised questions on the claim of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and BJD leaders that there was no cross voting from the regional outfit. However, government chief whip and senior BJD leader Amar Prasad Satpathy dismissed Panda's claim of cross voting in Presidential polls. "As for our information, everybody voted in favour NDA Presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind, there was no cross voting," he said.