Ideology is dead. Rajya Sabha cross-voting shows politics is a livestock market now

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Key Points

In Himachal Pradesh, where the Congress has a substantial majority, it seemed clear that its candidate, the noted and respected lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi, would win...

In 1998, when the Rajya Sabha seemed in danger of becoming just another club that every sleazy billionaire could buy entry into, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government decided that it was time for a change in the rules.. In India, we follow a two-fold principle..

When it comes to voting in direct elections where the entire population is involvedsay, elections for MPs, MLAs, corporators, etc.we insist on a secret ballot..

The Vajpayee government decided that perhaps voting for Rajya Sabha candidates had more in common with voting on Bills than with general elections..

So strong is the perception that the BJP will sweep North India in the next general election that many MLAs see no point in hanging around and being lonely opposition voices when they can be part of the winning side.. Plus, they get to be rich too!..

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