The Himachal Pradesh Congress government, led by Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, appeared to have successfully navigated the political crisis.
The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh has managed to contain the political crisis that arose after the cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha election and the resignation announcement of a minister. The Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government passed the budget on Wednesday, and Minister Vikramaditya Singh stated that he will not press for resignation until talks with leaders conclude, giving a breather to the Congress.
Chief Minister Sukhu has called for a meeting of Congress MLAs and Ministers as the party leadership ruled out the possibility of a change of guard in the state. The Speaker is expected to address the media at around 11 am.
HIMACHAL POLITICAL CRISIS | LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
- Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh, who had stepped down as a minister, on Wednesday evening said that he wouldn’t press his resignation until a dialogue with party leaders was not completed. He, after meeting party central observers, claimed that the government was never in crisis.
The Himachal Pradesh Assembly speaker, meanwhile, reserved his order on the Congress’s demand to disqualify the six MLAs from the assembly, whose cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha election triggered turbulence in the state.
Chief Minister Sukhu dismissed speculation that he was resigning. He said, “Neither the high command, nor anyone else has asked me for resignation” and added that the Congress government will complete its five-year term in the state.
Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania on Wednesday expelled 15 BJP MLAs, including Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, for ‘misconduct’ and allegedly shouting slogans in the Chamber of the Speaker.
Three Congress central observers, including senior leader Bhupinder S Hooda, held discussions with senior leaders and MLAs on Wednesday night. Speaking to reporters after the meetings, Hooda said, “We have talked with all the leaders,” without elaborating further.
