Congress Faces Allegations Amid MLA Cross-Voting

Amid allegations of cross-voting during Maharashtra's legislative council elections, Congress MLA Hiraman Khoskar met Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, fueling speculation about potential party defections. Khoskar claimed his meeting was about local issues, specifically encroachments affecting businesses in his constituency, and denied plans to leave Congress despite rumors of being denied a ticket. Congress state chief Nana Patole announced that a decision regarding disciplinary action against the implicated MLAs would be made by the party's high command. In a separate meeting, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar discussed irrigation and agricultural issues with CM Shinde, following Shinde's recent criticisms of Pawar's leadership. The political climate is tense, with accusations of corruption and internal strife within the opposition coalition, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). As the assembly elections approach, party dynamics and MLA loyalty are under intense scrutiny.