Congress Leadership Scrambles to Quell Discontent Among MLAs in Himachal Pradesh

The Congress partys top leadership has taken swift action to address the discontent among six MLAs who voted in favor of the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls in Himachal Pradesh. Senior leaders Bhupinder Singh Hooda and D K Shivakumar have been appointed to engage with the disgruntled legislators and attempt to resolve their issues.

In the wake of six Congress MLAs voting in favor of the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls in Himachal Pradesh, the party's top leadership has taken swift action to pacify the disgruntled legislators. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has appointed senior leaders Bhupinder Singh Hooda and D K Shivakumar to engage with the six MLAs, who are reportedly dissatisfied with the working style of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and are seeking his replacement.

Observers Dispatched to Shimla

Sources have revealed that former Haryana chief minister Hooda and Karnataka deputy chief minister Shivakumar will arrive in Shimla early Wednesday to assess the situation as the Congress government in the state faces a potential existential crisis. The six MLAs had departed from Shimla for Haryana on Tuesday after casting their votes in the Rajya Sabha polls. They are believed to be in contact with the BJP, indicating signs of a looming crisis for the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh.

BJP Plans Floor Test

The appointment of observers comes amidst reports that the BJP intends to meet Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla early Wednesday before the assembly convenes. Sources have indicated that BJP Legislature Party leaders, led by Jai Ram Thakur, will meet the Governor and demand a floor test, asserting that the Congress government has lost its majority in the assembly.

Stunning Upset in Rajya Sabha Polls

In a surprising turn of events, the BJP secured victory in Himachal Pradesh's lone Rajya Sabha seat on Tuesday, with its candidate Harsh Mahajan defeating Congress stalwart Abhishek Manu Singhvi. This outcome has potentially set the stage for a no-trust motion in the assembly. The voting resulted in a tie, with both the Congress and BJP candidates receiving 34 votes each, suggesting that at least six Congress MLAs voted against their party. The result was ultimately determined through a draw of lots, according to officials.

Congress Faces Uncertain Future

In the 68-member Himachal Pradesh Assembly, the Congress holds 40 seats, while the BJP has 25 legislators. The remaining three seats are occupied by independent candidates. The Congress government's stability is now in jeopardy, as the BJP seeks to capitalize on the internal divisions within the party. The outcome of the floor test, if conducted, will determine the fate of the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh.