In a significant development, six rebel Congress MLAs and three independents in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly faced disqualification by Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania. Their offense stemmed from cross-voting during the recent Rajya Sabha elections, where they violated party whips and skipped the budget session. Consequently, they lost their membership in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly with immediate effect.
The decision to disqualify these members came after the Congress party lodged a formal complaint with the state’s Assembly Speaker, citing their breach of party discipline and anti-defection laws. The petition, spearheaded by Congress MLA and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harsh Wardhan Chauhan, sought action against the six rebel MLAs for their actions during the Rajya Sabha polls.
Addressing the matter, Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania stated, “Six MLAs, who contested on Congress symbol, attracted provisions of anti-defection law against themselves. I declare that the six people cease to be members of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly with immediate effect,” as reported by news agency ANI.
#WATCH | Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania says, "Six MLAs, who contested on Congress symbol, attracted provisions of anti-defection law against themselves…I declare that the six people cease to be members of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly with immediate… pic.twitter.com/QQt92aM10v
— ANI (@ANI) February 29, 2024
Background: Cross-Voting Incident during Himachal Pradesh Rajya Sabha Elections
The incident traces back to the Rajya Sabha elections held on February 27, where 56 seats across 15 states, including Himachal Pradesh, were up for grabs. Notably, the lone Rajya Sabha seat from Himachal Pradesh, previously held by BJP President J P Nadda, was contested.
Ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls, the Congress party issued a whip, directing all MLAs to vote in favor of the party’s nominee, Abhishek Manu Singhvi. However, this move faced criticism from the BJP, asserting that parliamentarians should have the freedom to vote according to their conscience.
Despite the party directives, internal unrest within the Congress ranks led to nine MLAs crossing party lines during the voting. This resulted in the unexpected defeat of the Congress candidate, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, and the victory of BJP’s Harsh Mahajan for the Rajya Sabha seat.
Among the cross-voting MLAs was Rajendra Rana, who had been vocal in his demand for the removal of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. The loss in the Rajya Sabha elections posed a significant challenge to the Sukhu-led Congress administration in the state.
Implications and Political Fallout
With the disqualification of six rebel MLAs, the balance of power within the Himachal Pradesh Assembly undergoes a notable shift. The Congress, which held a majority with 40 MLAs and support from three independents in the 68-member house, now faces challenges in maintaining its legislative strength and stability.
The aftermath of the cross-voting incident underscores the fragility of political alliances and party discipline, highlighting the need for stronger mechanisms to enforce adherence to party lines and prevent defections. The disqualification serves as a stern warning to lawmakers about the consequences of breaching party mandates and anti-defection laws, ultimately shaping the political landscape of Himachal Pradesh in the days to come.
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