While the value of an MLA's vote varies from state to state, the value of an MP's vote remains the same at 708
Meira Kumar was never a strong presidential candidate. But large-scale cross-voting in favour of NDA's Ram Nath Kovind has come as a big worry for the Opposition, especially ahead of Gujarat elections due later this year.
Cross-voting in favour of Kovind was reported from various states such as West Bengal, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, Goa, Punjab, Tripura, UP, and Delhi.
Kovind received a total vote value of 6,412 that were supposed to go to Kumar. She got a total vote value of 1,454 that were supposed to go to Kovind. So, Kumar's vote value was dented by a total of 4,958.
While the value of an MLA's vote varies from state to state, the value of an MP's vote remains the same at 708.
In Gujarat, at least 11 Congress MLAs seem to have voted for Kovind. It's a setback for the party before the August 8 voting for three Rajya Sabha seats, including the one held by its senior leader Ahmed Patel.
Two of the four AAP MPs in Punjab are also believed to have voted for Kovind. In West Bengal, Kovind won 11 votes — five more than expected.
In Tripura, where the BJP has no lawmaker, Kovind won seven votes. In Maharashtra, Meira Kumar won 77 votes, 10 less than expected.
In Goa, Kovind got three votes more than expected. In Uttar Pradesh, eight Opposition lawmakers are believed to have cross-voted.
In Delhi, two AAP MLAs, out of the 63 who exercised their franchise, also appeared to have indulged in cross-voting.
However, it was not all bleak for Kumar. Results from Rajasthan and Bihar indicate that some electors reneged and voted for her.
Overall, Kovind secured 65.65% of the electoral college votes cast by MPs and state lawmakers, trouncing Kumar who got the rest of the 34.35% votes. Kovind won 2,930 votes with a total value of 7,02,044. Kumar managed 1,844 votes with a total value of 3,67,314. A total of 77 votes were found invalid.
(with inputs from Arshad Ali)
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