Congress Faces Himachal Conundrum, Demand to Replace CM Sukhu Gains Steam

Himachal Pradesh has been in a political conundrum since Tuesday, after six Congress MLAs voted in favour of the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls. According to the latest development, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has reached Hotel Sisil and is in “constant touch with senior Congress leaders Rajiv Shukla and Bhupesh Baghel”.

Himachal Pradesh Rajya Sabha Election Live Updates

Sources told News18 that some MLAs gave the name of deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri for the post of the chief minister. A source said that over a dozen MLAs are angry with the CM, and have expressed their displeasure before the Congress high command. They’ve demanded to change the chief minister, the source added.

Track the Latest Political Development in Himachal Pradesh:

• Sources in the Congress told News18 that the grand old party has sought disqualification of six rebel MLAs. The speaker has issued notice to the six MLAs on Congress’ plea.

• Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former CM Jairam Thakur was seen coming out of Raj Bhavan in Shimla after meeting governor Shiv Pratap Shukla.

• Talking to the media on Wednesday, Thakur said, “Marshalls misbehaved with our MLAs, and the security in-charge said that they are just following the Speaker’s orders. This government has no right to stay in power.”

• Jairam Thakur further said they have a doubt that the Vidhan Sabha Speaker will suspend BJP MLAs to comfortably pass the Budget. “Some MLAs of Congress have got notices who have voted in the Rajya Sabha elections. Cross voting is not invalid in Rajya Sabha, as directed by the Election Commission,” he added.

• Sources told News18 that the disgruntled Congress MLAs will reach Shimla by air, and present their views. The legislators have been dubbed as “traitors” for reportedly been talking about “making BJP candidate win in the interest of the state”.

• Top sources in the Congress said that the party is working on a couple on proposal. One proposal says that Priyanka Gandhi, while supporting CM Sukhu, has plans to make two more deputy chief ministers. This will be done while maintaining the regional balance.

• Sources said that one of the feedbacks even suggested to not change the CM till Lok Sabha elections. However, the party’s worry is that if the situation remains, 2024 poll results could be affected. Some MLAs had complained in the meeting on Tuesday that Sukhu was running the government by coterie, and it was impossible to meet him.

• Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar reached Shimla early Wednesday to take stock of the situation. The six rebel MLAs had left Shimla for Haryana on Tuesday after casting their votes in the Rajya Sabha polls. They are learnt to be in touch with the BJP, amid signs of a crisis engulfing the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh.

What is Happening in Himachal Pradesh?

The drama began on Tuesday during the Rajya Sabha elections in Himachal Pradesh. In a stunning upset for the ruling Congress in the state, the BJP on Tuesday won the state’s lone Upper House seat with its candidate Harsh Mahajan defeating Congress stalwart Abhishek Manu Singhvi and apparently setting the stage for a no-trust motion in the assembly.

The voting was a tie with both the Congress and the BJP candidates getting 34 votes, indicating that at least six Congress MLAs voted against the party. The result was then declared on the basis of a draw of lots, officials said.

In the 68-member Himachal Pradesh Assembly, the Congress has 40 MLAs while the BJP has 25 legislators. The remaining three seats are held by independents.

Sources said BJP Legislature Party leaders led by Jai Ram Thakur was set to meet the Governor and demand a floor test, claiming that the Congress government has lost majority in the assembly.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has appointed senior leaders Bhupinder Singh Hooda and D K Shivakumar to engage with the six MLAs, who are learnt to be “disappointed” with the working style of CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and are seeking his replacement.