Himachal: Three independent MLAs resign, to join BJP

In a significant turn of events in Himachal Pradesh politics, three independent MLAs tendered their resignations from the Assembly on Friday, signaling their intent to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The trio, comprising Krishna Lal Thakur from Nalagarh, Hoshiyar Singh from Dehra, and Ashish Sharma from Hamirpur, formally submitted their resignations to the Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, Yashpal Sharma.

This move follows the rebellion of six MLAs against the Congress party during the Rajya Sabha polls. These dissenting lawmakers, including Sudhir Sharma, Ravi Thakur, Rajinder Rana, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Chetanya Sharma, and Devinder Kumar Bhutto, were disqualified by Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania on February 29. Their disqualification stemmed from their refusal to adhere to a Congress directive mandating attendance and support for the Himachal Pradesh government during critical House proceedings.

Seeking recourse, the disqualified MLAs approached the Supreme Court, challenging the speaker’s decision. The apex court, in a ruling on March 18, declined to grant a stay on the disqualification, effectively barring the rebel Congress MLAs from participating in Assembly activities pending further deliberation.

Notably, Senior Advocate Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, the Congress candidate for the Rajya Sabha polls, represented the Himachal Pradesh speaker, while Senior Advocate Harish Salve appeared on behalf of the disqualified MLAs, seeking a stay on the speaker’s decision.

As the legal battle unfolds, the Supreme Court bench mandated a temporary exclusion of the rebel Congress MLAs from Assembly proceedings and voting until the matter is resolved. The case is scheduled for listing on May 6, with the rebel MLAs granted a week to submit their rejoinder. Meanwhile, nominations for the vacant assembly seats are slated to commence on May 7, ushering in a new chapter in the state’s political landscape.