Crisis In Himachal Pradesh: Explained In A 2 Minute Read

In a surprising turn of events, the Himachal Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is in trouble with the BJP claiming that it will form a new government.

So, what is the crisis? Why has the Congress government suddenly on the brink? We will explain what transpired in the last 24 hours:

• It all started after six Congress MLAs cross-voted against the party in the Rajya Sabha elections. This came as a major blow to the ruling party as BJP's Harsh Mahajan defeated Congress stalwart Abhishek Manu Singhvi, thereby setting the stage for a no-trust motion in the assembly.

• The vote ended in a deadlock, as both the Congress and BJP contenders secured 34 votes each. This indicated that at least six Congress MLAs voted for the BJP candidate. Officials stated that the outcome was subsequently determined by drawing lots.
• It was followed by the resignation of Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, the son of former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and an MLA from Shimla Rural.
• "I am submitting my resignation to the chief minister and the governor," he told reporters. "There have been attempts to humiliate and undermine me from some quarters and in spite of reservations, I supported the government," he said.
• The outgoing minister said the 2022 assembly election in the state was fought in the name of former chief minister Virbhadra Singh, also his father. "There was no poster, or hoarding or banner which did not carry his picture. There was a full-page ad with his picture in the newspapers a day before voting."
• On the other hand, Harsh Mahajan, who won the lone RS seat on Tuesday, said, "BJP is going to form its government in the state. Some more MLAs of Congress are in touch with us. I got phone calls from some of their MLAs and ministers...The situation is going to change in the next few hours and you will see BJP will form its govt soon...For the next 10-20 years, Congress is not going to come to power here..."

• Further drama unfolded after Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania on Wednesday suspended 15 BJP MLAs, including Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, and adjourned the House.

However, the Congress high command has appointed Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and Bhupinder Singh Hooda to pacify the disgruntled leaders.

In the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, the Congress has 40 MLAs, while the BJP has 25 legislators. There are three independent candidates.

The majority mark in the 68-member Assembly is 35.