Political Turmoil in Himachal Pradesh as Congress Faces Rebellion and Defections

Himachal Pradesh, February 29, 2024 : In a stunning turn of events in Himachal Pradesh, the Congress party is grappling with internal strife and potential government collapse, following the unexpected defeat of its candidate, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, in the recent Rajya Sabha election. Despite having a majority with 40 MLAs and the support of three independent MLAs in the 68-member house, the tie in votes at 34 each led to the victory of Harsh Mahajan after a draw of lots. This setback has intensified the crisis for Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu’s government, raising the specter of its collapse.

Adding to the political turmoil, Vikramaditya Singh resigned from the council of ministers, deepening the existing rift between factions within the Himachal Pradesh Congress. The divide is evident between the supporters of Chief Minister Sukhu and those aligned with Pratibha Singh, the Lok Sabha member of parliament and Vikramaditya’s mother.

The situation took a drastic turn when six Congress MLAs from Himachal Pradesh were disqualified for cross-voting in favor of the BJP during the Rajya Sabha polls. The disqualified MLAs, namely Rajinder Rana, Sudhir Sharma, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Devinder Kumar Bhutoo, Ravi Thakur, and Chetanya Sharma, faced consequences for defying the party whip to vote in favor of the government on the Finance Bill.

The BJP, initially applauding the MLAs for their ‘bravery,’ had welcomed them after they stayed the previous night in BJP-ruled Haryana. However, the disqualified MLAs’ actions have now backfired, causing a setback for the BJP’s hopes of returning to power in Himachal Pradesh.

The disqualification of these MLAs has temporarily closed the chapter on the potential return of the BJP to power through a no-confidence vote. The assembly had also witnessed the suspension of 15 BJP MLAs after the passage of the state Budget. The disqualification adds another layer to the already complex political landscape in Himachal Pradesh, leaving the Congress government on shaky ground and the state in a state of uncertainty.