6 rebel MLAs lose membership in Himachal, what impact did this bet have on the Sukhu crisis

Himachal Pradesh Speaker Kuldeep Pathania on Thursday pronounced his verdict on six rebel Congress MLAs who created a stir in politics. The six rebel Congress MLAs — Sudhir Sharma (Dharamshala), Rajinder Rana (Sujanpur), Inder Dutt Lakhanpal (Barsar), Ravi Thakur (Lahaul Spiti), Chaitanya Sharma (Gagret) and Devinder Bhutto (Kutlehar) — have been disqualified from the party. Speaker Kuldeep Pathania said that due to a violation of the party whip, the provision of the anti-defection law applies to him, and due to this, the membership has been terminated with immediate effect.

Kuldeep Pathania while announcing his verdict in front of the media on Thursday.”I am passing this judgment as a tribunal judge, not as the president. Six Hon’ble MLAs contested the election from the Congress Party and imposed the provisions of the Anti-Defection Act on themselves. It was complained. Senior Supreme Court and High Court lawyers appeared on both sides. The arguments from both sides were heard in detail. I  have given a 30-page judgment on this. When the party issued a whip, he violated it. Therefore, their membership is terminated with immediate effect. ‘

What will be the impact of loss of membership?

After the disqualification of the rebel MLAs, the big question is whether this will reduce the crisis of Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu.  The majority figure in the 68-member Assembly has now changed.  After the end of 6 MLAs, now 62 members are left in the House. Now the government needs 32 MLAs for a majority, while the Congress now has 34 MLAs left. The BJP has 25 MLAs and now it has the support of 3 independent MLAs.

The Congress still has the numbers, but the real crisis is the split and factionalism in the party. After the biggest leader of the opposition faction, Vikramaditya came out in the open, it became clear that there are many MLAs in the party whose loyalty is with the Virbhadra Singh family, even if they did not cross-vote in the Rajya Sabha election.

Rebels can challenge in court: The rebel Congress MLAs can challenge the decision to be stripped of membership in the High Court and the Supreme Court. Speaker Kuldeep Pathania also said that this decision is not final and it can be challenged in the High Court or Supreme Court. However,  the response from the rebel MLAs was not revealed till the time of writing the news.

Sukhu had breakfast with MLAs, Vikramaditya stayed away: Chief Minister Sukhu invited all the party MLAs for breakfast on Thursday morning. However, it is being told that Vikramaditya Singh did not reach it. Vikramaditya, who announced his resignation a day earlier, is seen as a sign that his grievance has not gone away.

Himachal Pradesh Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania on Thursday disqualified six rebel Congress MLAs for creating a stir in politics. He violated the party whip. The Speaker said that the anti-defection law applies to them. For this reason, their membership is canceled with immediate effect. State Congress president Pratibha Singh has commented on this development. “It’s been over a year since you’ve been here. If you had made them sit and talked to them, this would not have happened.

“It will have an impact on the Lok Sabha elections. When you’ve been up for more than a year. Even if you are not listening to them, then it is a very valid thing for them to be angry. If you had made them sit, talked to them, and worked out a solution, this situation would not have arisen today. Whatever the situation you see today. We have also placed those things in front of them. Now let’s see what they decide. We have made them aware of our situation. You see what you can do. ‘

Asked about the resentment among the party MLAs in the state, Pratibha Singh said, “Whatever step we have taken,  we have taken it keeping in mind the sentiments of the people of Himachal Pradesh — people are connected to us. Virbhadra Singh ji’s legacy is with us. What does he want for the state, what are the sentiments we are following in which we are moving forward? Whatever we thought was not right, we apprised them (party high command) repeatedly. We have said these things in front of them. These things were also put before him in yesterday’s meeting. We are waiting to see what they decide. ‘

In Himachal, signs of change in CM

In Himachal Pradesh, the problems of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu have increased. The resignation of Minister Vikramaditya Singh following cross-voting by party MLAs in the Rajya Sabha elections has threatened the stability of the government. Sensing the gravity of the situation, the party has sent former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to Shimla. These two observers will talk to all the MLAs and give their report by Thursday evening.

The Congress does not see any threat to its government at the moment. The MLAs are more angry with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Sources say that more than the party candidate in the Rajya Sabha election Abhishek Manu Singhvi being an outsider, the internal discord in the state unit and dissatisfaction against the Chief Minister was a major reason. Therefore, before the observers held talks with the MLAs, the party publicly declared that all options were open.

The party has hinted at changing the Chief Minister to retain the government. In such a situation, several names can be considered, including Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan, and Dhani Ram Shandilya. Party leaders believe that in the event of a change in the chief minister, Vikramaditya Singh can be made deputy chief minister along with a new chief minister. It could be accompanied by a deputy chief minister from the Sukhu faction.

Priyanka spoke to Vikramaditya Singh: Sources say that Vikramaditya Singh has also spoken to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. He has advocated making a leader of his faction the Chief Minister. Vikramaditya is the son of state president Pratibha Singh and former chief minister Virbhadra Singh. Vikramaditya has made his intentions clear by resigning from the post of minister. Strategists believe that it is necessary to keep Vikramaditya together to keep the state government alive. Therefore, his resignation from the post of minister has not been accepted.

Rebel MLAs claim: 26 MLAs angry with Sukhu: The MLAs who cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha elections claim that 26 Congress  MLAs are angry with Chief Minister Sukhu. These MLAs want the chief minister to be changed. A senior party leader said the Congress does not have much choice. This is the reason why the party is also ready to hear the side of the MLAs who cross-voted. A senior party leader said that if these MLAs do not return, their membership can be terminated.

The party will not shy away from taking tough steps: Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said that the individual is not important, the party is important. The party will not hesitate to take strong steps to respect the mandate. Actually, the party realizes that if this situation is not dealt with promptly, it will lose its only government in North India. Therefore, party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi also had to intervene. He has spoken to party MLAs and party president Kharge on the issue.

Ending the subscription will be the last option: Termination of membership of these six MLAs who cross-voted will be the last option. Because, as soon as their membership ends, the difference of majority in the assembly will be reduced. After the end of their membership, the total number of members in the Assembly will be 62 and the majority figure will be 32. The Congress will have 34  members and the BJP 28, including three independents. The party will try to avoid this situation for the time being.

Congress engaged in damage control

The Congress has started efforts for damage control in Himachal Pradesh. Congress central observers Bhupinder Singh Hooda and DK Shivakumar held a one-to-one meeting with party MLAs at a hotel near the assembly building in Shimla. However, six MLAs who cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha elections were not present. Sources said that discussions were held with the MLAs at Cecil Hotel and feedback was taken from them. State Congress in-charge Rajiv Shukla was also present in the meetings. The question arises whether the Congress will overcome this sudden political crisis.

Bhupinder Singh Hooda and DK Shivakumar reached Shimla on Wednesday evening to resolve the deepening political crisis after the rebellion of six MLAs. Sources said the observers held one-to-one discussions with the MLAs at the Cecil Hotel and took feedback from them. Industries Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan, who met the observers, claimed that some rebels were in touch with Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and the Congress high command.

Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Pratibha Singh said that after the formation of the government, some things were not going well. We had informed the high command to sort it out. The high command should have sat down and resolved it. The high command would call them and us. The problem would be solved by sitting down. If that were the case, we would not have to address the situation.

Sachin Pilot hints at danger looming in Himachal

Congress strongman Sachin Pilot also targeted the BJP-led government at the Centre, saying it has failed to tackle rising inflation and unemployment. “Our party has appointed observers in Himachal Pradesh… They will talk to everyone and hope the matter is resolved soon,” he said. The Congress-led government in Himachal Pradesh is in crisis on Tuesday after six party MLAs cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha election for the lone seat in the hill state.

“Many people come and go before elections. It happens before almost every election… But this time the fight is between the NDA and the INDIA alliance. Our alliance is strong. We have almost finalized the seat sharing. We will. “Fight and win on issues. Pilot also targeted the BJP-led Rajasthan government, saying it has failed to live up to expectations.

What did Vikramaditya say?

“There is a difference between withdrawing resignation and not insisting on resignation until the observers have completed their talks and actions,” Singh said after meeting with the Observers. We have talked to the Observer. They have been briefed about the current situation. So until that decision is taken, I will not press for my resignation,” he said. The outcome will be taken in due course. ‘

Vikramaditya Singh and Rajiv Shukla announced this after a meeting with the Observer. “Our observers are holding talks with the MLAs. The Chief Minister has said that we are not able to accept Vikramaditya’s resignation. And it has been decided that Vikramaditya ji will no longer press his resignation. ‘

What did Pratibha Singh say?

More than a year passed but no decision was taken. That is why we are facing this crisis. As far as Vikramaditya is concerned, he has not resigned from the party. He has resigned from the cabinet. Now the supervisor has to decide what to do about it. Asked what he had discussed with the observers, he said it was an internal matter.

When contacted, Vikramaditya Singh’s mother and Himachal Congress chief Pratibha Singh said, “You all know that ever since the government has been formed, some things have not been going well. Time and again, we brought this to the notice of our High Command. We wanted them to sit down and sort it out. If they had called them,  called us too, and sat down and found a solution, we would not have reached this situation today. It has been more than a year, no decision has been taken, because of which we are facing these things today. As far as Vikramaditya’s resignation is concerned, he has not resigned from the party, he has resigned from the cabinet. ‘

Asked about the BJP’s claim that the Sukhu-led government will fall, he said, “I don’t think the government will fall. It will form the government. Pratibha Singh said, “Let’s see what happens. Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh said there was no pressure to take back the resignation and accept it. There is a difference between the two. We have spoken to observers. They have been informed about the current situation. I will not press for my resignation until a decision is taken on this crisis. The final decision will be taken in due course.

Has Himachal’s crisis been averted?: After this announcement, journalists asked Vikramaditya whether the crisis has been averted now. “There was no crisis. But I said that every kind of solution can be found, just positive thinking should be done. Our issue, for which we are in politics, is to serve the state. And the means of serving is the government. Therefore, it is the collective responsibility of all of us to strengthen the government.

Will Modi magic be seen in Himachal?: An opinion poll of Zee News and Matrize has come out regarding the Lok Sabha elections. The survey was conducted between February 5 and 27  in which 167,843  people were included from across the country. According to the survey, Modi’s magic can be seen in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Himachal Pradesh.  Under the leadership of PM Modi, the NDA can get three out of four seats. At the same time, one seat can go to the account of the INDIA alliance. Others can get 0 seats.

How many votes to whom?: According to the survey, if the vote share is done, then PM Modi-led NDA  can get a total of 57 percent votes. At the same time, the INDIA coalition is expected to get 41 percent of the votes. Other parties may get 2 percent votes. In such a situation, the saffron party can capture three out of four seats in Himachal.

Conclusion From aAditri Digital

In the wake of the Himachal Pradesh Speaker’s decision to disqualify six rebel Congress MLAs, the political landscape in the state is undergoing significant shifts, particularly impacting Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu’s crisis. The disqualification alters the majority figure in the 68-member Assembly, leaving the Congress with 34 members, needing 32 for a majority. While the party still holds the numbers, internal factionalism remains a pressing concern, especially with notable figures like Vikramaditya Singh openly expressing discontent.

The disqualified MLAs retain the option to challenge the decision in higher courts, potentially prolonging the political turmoil. Meanwhile, efforts for damage control by the Congress, including discussions with MLAs and party leaders, underscore the urgency to stabilize the situation.

The possibility of a change in leadership looms large, with various names being considered for the chief ministerial position, hinting at a potential realignment of power dynamics within the party. However, the Congress faces the challenge of not only resolving internal discord but also countering the BJP’s growing influence, as indicated by opinion polls suggesting a favorable outcome for the NDA in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

As the state navigates through this turbulent phase, the decisions and actions taken by key stakeholders, including party leaders, MLAs, and the judiciary, will determine the trajectory of Himachal Pradesh’s political landscape and the fate of its government.