Congress seeks CBI probe in Rajya Sabha 'poll rigging'

The Congress on Thursday raised the issue of alleged rigging of the Rajya Sabha biennial polls in Haryana, and demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation probe.

The issue was raised in the upper house by the Congress member from Haryana Shadi Lal Batra.

"I raise the issue of rigging of Rajya Sabha elections, the pen provided by the Election Commission was changed and the vote was cancelled on the ground that there was difference of ink," Batra said accusing the BJP of a conspiracy.

In response, the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, "The Election Commission is examining the issue and I don't think this kind of sweeping allegation is correct."

Batra also demanded a CBI enquiry.

The Congress has said sabotage led to the defeat of its candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections in Haryana.

The votes of 14 Congress MLAs were declared invalid leading to the defeat of the Congress-supported candidate R K Anand who was otherwise expected to win.