This morning, the Leader of the Opposition and other BJP MLAs in Himachal Pradesh met with the Governor, urging for a test of strength for the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government in the state Assembly. This move follows the BJP’s recent victory in securing the lone Rajya Sabha seat, achieved through cross-voting by Congress MLAs and a fortunate draw of lots in its favor.
Expressing their satisfaction with the victory, Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur highlighted the BJP’s success in the Rajya Sabha elections as indicative of the Congress government’s loss of moral authority to remain in power. Thakur also raised concerns regarding alleged misbehavior and manhandling of BJP members by marshals when they sought to communicate with Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania regarding the division of votes during discussions on cut motions related to the health department.
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The meeting with the Governor coincides with speculation that the BJP intends to table a no-confidence motion in the Assembly as the Budget Session commences. Thakur, the former Chief Minister until 2022, has called for a division of votes for passing the state Budget to ascertain the true support of each party. Failure of the Congress government to secure passage of the Budget would signify a lack of majority in the House.
The Congress, with 40 MLAs in the Assembly, faced unexpected challenges during the Rajya Sabha seat elections as six of its MLAs reportedly voted for the BJP candidate, Harsh Mahajan, along with three Independents supporting the government. Notably, six Congress MLAs who allegedly cross-voted and were staying at a hotel in Haryana returned to Shimla ahead of the Budget Session.
Meanwhile, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Chief Minister, accused Opposition leaders of obstructing the work of counting officials and claimed that several Congress MLAs were taken away in a convoy of CRPF and Haryana Police. With the BJP holding 25 seats in the 68-member Assembly, the political landscape in Himachal Pradesh remains tense as the Budget Session unfolds.
