Politics 09 Jun, 2026

Poaching fears for Rajya Sabha polls: MP Congress to move MLAs to Karnataka

Business To Business, Kolkata, 9^th June, 2026:  Leaders of the Indian National Congress in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was attempting to poach legislators ahead of the June 18 Rajya Sabha elections.
Congress Plans to Shift MLAs
According to Congress leaders:

• The party has decided to move its MLAs to Karnataka, where the Congress is in power.
• The move is intended to prevent possible cross-voting during the Rajya Sabha elections.
• Party leaders say the objective is to keep the legislative party united until voting is completed.

Such measures, often referred to as "resort politics," have become a recurring feature of closely contested elections and confidence votes in several states.
Rajya Sabha Stakes
The June 18 Rajya Sabha election in Madhya Pradesh has attracted attention because of a contest involving Congress nominee Meenakshi Natarajan and BJP candidate Mahesh Kewat.
The possibility of cross-voting has heightened political tensions, with both parties closely monitoring their legislators.
BJP's Response
The Congress allegations are part of a familiar pattern seen before crucial legislative votes, where rival parties accuse each other of attempting to influence or lure elected representatives. Any claims of poaching, however, remain political allegations unless supported by evidence.
Political Significance
The outcome of the Rajya Sabha polls is important not only for representation in the Rajya Sabha but also because the broader National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is seeking to strengthen its position in the Upper House.
The Congress's decision to move its legislators to Karnataka underscores its concern about maintaining party discipline and ensuring that all votes remain with its official candidate during the election.