Disqualified Himachal Pradesh MLA Rajinder Rana, part of the group of six Congress rebels in the recent Rajya Sabha elections, has attributed their actions to the candidature of Abhishek Manu Singhvi. Rana questioned the Congress leadership’s decision to nominate the prominent lawyer to the Upper House from Himachal Pradesh, claiming that their cross-voting was a move to uphold the honour of the state. The rebels, now disqualified, plan to challenge this decision in court.
Expressing their motives, Rana stated, “We took this decision to uphold the honour and respect of Himachal Pradesh and for the people. Himachal Pradesh is a ‘Devbhoomi’. Did the Congress Party not have any candidate, out of those workers who helped build the party (in Himachal), who can represent Himachal Pradesh in Rajya Sabha?” The rebels assert that the disqualification was unjust, done under pressure, and lacked consideration of the law.
Rana criticized Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, claiming it is not a Congress government in Himachal Pradesh but rather “the government of Sukhvinder Sukhu’s friends.” He highlighted issues such as youth protesting, unfulfilled guarantees, and disrespectful treatment of selected MLAs.
The Himachal Rajya Sabha polls, where 6 Congress MLAs cross-voted in favour of the BJP, initially posed a threat to the government. However, the Speaker’s decision to suspend 15 BJP MLAs and disqualify the rebels allowed the Congress government to regroup. The party sent DK Shivakumar to address differences, but subsequent indications suggest ongoing internal strife.
Himachal Congress chief Pratibha Singh’s praise for the BJP further highlighted internal divisions. CM Sukhu responded, emphasizing the substantial support he enjoys from the MLAs and attributing the rebellion to BJP-induced horse-trading during the Rajya Sabha elections.
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