The political landscape in Himachal Pradesh witnessed a significant upheaval as Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu tendered his resignation, according to reports. This decision comes hot on the heels of a setback for the Congress party in the Rajya Sabha elections for seats in the state.
Reports indicate that the Congress party is swiftly moving to select a new Chief Minister, with plans to finalize the decision by evening. Party observers have been dispatched to engage with the Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to gauge their preferences and opinions.
The resignation of Sukhu follows closely after the resignation of state minister Vikramaditya Singh, the son of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. Allegations have surfaced suggesting a rift between Sukhu and Vikramaditya, with the latter accusing Sukhu of disrespect and neglect towards the MLAs.
Tensions escalated during the recent Rajya Sabha polls held on 27th February when Congress MLAs cross-voted in favor of the BJP candidate. Among those who defected was Rajendra Rana, an MLA vocal in his demand for Sukhu’s removal as Chief Minister.
The defection of six Congress MLAs and three independent MLAs to support the BJP candidate has placed the Congress government in a precarious position, raising concerns about its stability.
Simultaneously, chaos ensued within the state Assembly as Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania suspended 15 BJP MLAs from the House. The suspension was reportedly a response to the unruly behavior exhibited by the BJP legislators, who allegedly disrupted proceedings in the Speaker’s chamber.
The suspended BJP MLAs include prominent figures such as Jai Ram Thakur, Vipin Parmar, Randhir Sharma, and others. The decision to suspend these legislators was initiated by State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, who proposed their expulsion from the House.
The developments in Himachal Pradesh underscore a volatile political climate marked by factionalism and power struggles. With the resignation of Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and the suspension of BJP MLAs, the state finds itself at a crossroads, awaiting the resolution of its leadership crisis amidst mounting challenges and uncertainties.
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