The Indian National Congress is set to launch an investigation into potential cross-voting within the INDIA bloc during the recent vice-presidential election, where NDA candidate CP Radhakrishnan emerged victorious. This decision follows Radhakrishnan's win, securing 452 votes against the opposition's B Sudershan Reddy, who received 300 votes. The election results have sparked concerns and accusations of cross-voting, prompting the Congress to initiate a probe to identify any members who may have deviated from the bloc's agreed-upon candidate.

The INDIA bloc had anticipated a united front, with expectations that their candidate, Reddy, would receive at least 315 votes, potentially stretching up to 324 with additional supporters. This calculation included the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) 12 votes, despite their unofficial alignment with the INDIA bloc. However, the final count revealed a significant shortfall, with Reddy securing only 300 votes. This discrepancy has led to speculation and suspicion within the opposition ranks, with fingers pointed at AAP and the Maharashtra front, comprising Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP(SP) factions.

Congress leaders had initially expressed confidence in the INDIA bloc's unity, with Jairam Ramesh asserting that all 315 MPs were present and voting. However, the election outcome suggests otherwise, raising questions about the effectiveness of floor coordination and the presence of mechanisms to detect wavering MPs. The fact that 15 votes were declared invalid further complicates the matter, although this alone cannot account for the significant difference in expected versus actual votes.

The BJP was quick to seize on the apparent disunity within the INDIA bloc, with leaders like Kiren Rijiju claiming that many opposition parties had voted for the NDA candidate. Union Minister Piyush Goyal went further, suggesting that the NDA received an additional 25 votes, indicating support from opposition members attracted to Prime Minister Modi's policies and leadership.

In response to the election outcome, Congress leaders have defended their performance, highlighting the increase in vote share compared to the previous vice-presidential election. Jairam Ramesh pointed out a 14% increase in votes secured by their candidate and emphasized that the opposition's performance was respectable. However, these claims do not negate the reality of cross-voting, which has exposed vulnerabilities within the INDIA bloc and raised concerns about its future unity and strategies.

The Congress's decision to probe the cross-voting incident reflects the seriousness with which it views the matter. Similar instances of cross-voting in the past have led to disciplinary actions, including expulsion from the party. In one instance, the Chandigarh Pradesh Congress Committee formed a fact-finding committee to investigate cross-voting in mayoral polls. The outcome of the investigation and the subsequent actions taken by the Congress will be closely watched, as they could have significant implications for the INDIA bloc's cohesion and its ability to challenge the ruling NDA in future elections.

The election of CP Radhakrishnan as the 15th Vice President of India has not only solidified the NDA's position but also triggered introspection and potential realignment within the opposition. The cross-voting incident serves as a reminder of the challenges in maintaining unity within diverse political alliances and the importance of addressing internal vulnerabilities to effectively counter political rivals.