No cross voting in Rajasthan for Shekhawat--Kalla

Jaipur, July 19 (UNI) Rajasthan Congress president BD Kalla today reiected the ruling BJP's claims of cross voting by a few Congress MLAs in the presidential polls today in favour of NDA supported Independent candidate Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

Talking to reporters after casting his vote here, Mr Kalla said that all Congress MLAs were supporting UPA nominee Ms Pratibha Patil.

Besides Congress' own votes, the party had succeeded in mustering votes of 5 of the 13 Independents for Ms Patil. Two BSP members and one each MLA of CPI(M) and LJP will also vote to Ms Patil, he claimed.

He said BJP's bid for effecting cross voting had failed and it was now trying its best to keep intact the votes of its own allies.

He said National Conference in Jammmu and Kashmir, Shiv Sena in Maharashtra and Janata Dal(S) in Karnataka had already announced their decision against - Mr Shekhawat.

Mr Kalla claimed that Ms Patil will win by huge margin of 3 lakh votes.

UNI