Himachal Speaker Seeks Clarification from 3 Independent MLAs on Resignation

In a significant development from Shimla on March 27, three Independent Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) received show cause notices from the Vidhan Sabha Speaker following their resignation last week. Vidhan Sabha Secretary Yashpal Sharma confirmed the issuance of the notices, stating that the Congress legislative party has raised concerns that the resignations were not voluntary but made under duress. The MLAs in question, Ashish Sharma from Hamirpur, Hoshiyar Singh from Dehra, and K L Thakur from Nalagarh, are required to submit their responses by April 10.

The trio had tendered their resignations on March 22, just a day before joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alongside six disqualified Congress MLAs. This move came in the wake of all nine legislators voting in favor of the BJP in the recent Rajya Sabha elections. Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania highlighted that while the Independent MLAs had submitted their resignations, they had not provided reasons for their decision, promising that due procedure would be followed.

The controversy has sparked vocal criticism from Congress legislators and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh, who have accused the BJP of pressuring the legislators into resignation. Additionally, Congress MLAs Sanjay Avasthi and Bhuvneshwar Gaur have lodged a legal complaint against Hamirpur independent MLA Ashish Sharma and Rakesh Sharma for electoral offences, bribery, and criminal conspiracy.

The police have registered the case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to undue influence on elections, bribery, and criminal conspiracy, as well as sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. It's noteworthy that all three Independents had initially sought BJP tickets for the 2022 assembly polls but ended up contesting as Independents after being denied. They later supported the Congress-led government which formed with 40 legislators.

However, their allegiance shifted as they supported the BJP candidate in last month's Rajya Sabha elections, along with six rebel Congress MLAs who were disqualified for defying a party whip during cut motions and budget votes. These rebels also joined the BJP and were promised assembly tickets for their respective seats.

The Election Commission of India has announced byelections for the six assembly seats vacated by the disqualification of Congress legislators. These bypolls are scheduled to be held alongside the Lok Sabha polls in four seats during the last phase on June 1. Following these disqualifications, the strength of the ruling Congress in the 68-member Assembly has been reduced from 40 to 34 members, including the speaker. Meanwhile, the BJP holds 25 seats.