Himalaya Harbinger National Bureau.
In a startling turn of events that sent democracy for a toss in Himachal Pradesh, the Leader of Opposition, Jairam Thakur, along with the BJP’s legislative party, met Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla at Raj Bhawan on Wednesday. This meeting ensued after reports of cross-voting during the Rajya Sabha Elections 2024 held on Tuesday.
Thakur, addressing the media after meeting the Governor, expressed concerns over the proceedings in the Assembly. He stated, “We apprised the Governor about the disruptions in the Assembly. Our demand for a division of votes during the financial bill was denied, leading to the adjournment of the House. The behavior of Marshals towards our MLAs was inappropriate.” Thakur raised doubts about the potential suspension of BJP and some Congress MLAs who voted for BJP, adding, “The Congress government has lost the right to stay in power.”
Highlighting recent developments in Himachal Pradesh, Thakur asserted, “From a political standpoint, it is evident that the state government has lost the moral authority to govern.”
When questioned about Congress legislators in contact with the BJP, Thakur evaded specifics but emphasized, “I cannot disclose the numbers at this moment, but it is clear that Congress has lost the mandate.”
In a surprising twist during the Rajya Sabha election, Congress’s Abhishek Manu Singhvi lost to BJP’s Harsh Mahajan, despite Congress having a comfortable majority in the state assembly. Both candidates secured 34 votes each in the 68-member assembly, with Mahajan clinching victory through a draw of lots as a tie-breaker.
Singhvi gracefully conceded defeat, acknowledging those who cross-voted, stating, “I would like to thank the MLAs who have taught me a lot about human nature, its fickleness or its resoluteness. They supped with us. We are bad judges of human character; they are obviously better judges.”
The triumph for BJP becomes more significant as former BJP Himachal CM Jai Ram Thakur claimed that the Sukhu government has been reduced to a minority. However, Singhvi’s concession marked a moment of acceptance.
Earlier on Tuesday, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu alleged obstruction from opposition leaders during the counting process and reported the removal of “5-6 Congress MLAs in a convoy of CRPF and Haryana Police.”
In response to the escalating crisis, Congress has deployed senior leaders Bhupinder Singh Hooda and DK Shivakumar as observers. They are tasked with addressing the political turmoil and engaging in talks with the six Congress MLAs who cross-voted. According to sources, these MLAs expressed dissatisfaction with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s working style and sought his replacement.
As the situation unfolds, Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge has appointed Hooda and Shivakumar to navigate the ongoing political challenges in Himachal Pradesh.
