Amid talks of cross-voting in the Vice Presidential election, the Trinamool Congress on Thursday sought to shift the focus away from the surprise margin of the NDA-backed winner, highlighting what it called the "real numbers that matter", including the prime minister not answering a single question in Lok Sabha for over 4,100 days.
TMC MP Derek O’Brien, addressing reporters, dismissed concerns over the 15-odd opposition votes believed to have swung in favour of NDA candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan, who won with 452 votes against the opposition’s Sudhanshu Reddy’s 300.
“Instead of focusing on 15 votes here or there, let’s talk about the 15 days since the US imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, 862 days of violence in Manipur, 1,282 days of MGNREGA funds being withheld from Bengal, and 4,117 days since the prime minister last answered a question in Lok Sabha,” said O’Brien.
“These are the numbers the Modi government must be held accountable for,” he added.
Radhakrishnan’s win exceeded the NDA’s projected strength in Parliament. The BJP-led alliance, including support from the YSR Congress and smaller parties, was expected to secure 438 votes, yet Radhakrishnan secured 452, sparking claims of cross-voting from at least 15 opposition MPs.
BJP leaders were quick to celebrate the wider-than-expected margin. BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal claimed that "nearly 40 opposition MPs" voted, either directly or through invalid ballots in favour of the NDA candidate, calling it a show of “conscience and acceptance” of Radhakrishnan.
In contrast, the Opposition had projected unity, with all 315 MPs reportedly backing Reddy. The outcome, however, hinted at internal dissent, with some MPs likely casting invalid or pro-NDA votes.
TMC's O’Brien said, “This obsession with 15 votes is misplaced. Let’s talk about the 2,278 days of no Deputy Speaker in Lok Sabha. Let’s ask why the government is not accountable on real issues."