THE NEWS FREEDOM
SHIMLA, MARCH 1
In the aftermath of Congress leaders’ assertion of stability in Himachal Pradesh and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s tenure, state Congress president Pratibha Singh diverged by praising the BJP, acknowledging their superior work. Speaking to the press, she lamented the Congress’s precarious position and predicted significant action from the BJP under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s direction. Meanwhile, her son, PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh, met with the six disqualified Congress legislators in Chandigarh before heading to Delhi for discussions with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
While addressing the public rally in Dharampur, Chief Minister Sukhu reiterated his government’s commitment to completing the full term and promised consequences for those who betrayed the party’s trust. He alleged that individuals who accepted bribes for betraying the party are now experiencing sleepless nights. The Chief Minister also labeled the rebels as “kaale naag” (black serpents) for betraying the party in the recent Rajya Sabha elections.
जो राजनीति में आकर पिछले दरवाज़े से पैसे कमाते हैं, रात को उन्हें नींद नहीं आती है क्योंकि धन उन्हें सोने नहीं देता है।
जिन लोगों ने धन लेकर क्रॉस वोटिंग की है, उन्हें भी नींद नहीं आएगी। pic.twitter.com/Bso85c8D6C
— Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (@SukhuSukhvinder) March 1, 2024
Thursday saw Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania disqualify six rebel Congress MLAs for cross-voting during the Rajya Sabha elections, reducing the assembly’s membership to 62. Despite Congress leader DK Shivakumar’s assurance of continued support for the Sukhu government, Pratibha Singh expressed dissatisfaction in an evening interview, citing unresolved issues and deferral of resolutions by the Chief Minister.
The BJP’s victory in Himachal Pradesh’s lone Rajya Sabha seat during Tuesday’s elections intensified the political crisis, with the Congress losing its majority. Amidst BJP demands for a trust vote, former Chief Minister and BJP leader Jairam Thakur asserted Congress’s loss of majority. Nonetheless, the Congress government managed to pass the budget on Wednesday, with 25 BJP MLAs absent from the assembly following the suspension of 15 of their counterparts. PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh tendered his resignation citing issues, which was later withdrawn following consultations.