Shimla, June 22
Political tensions in Himachal Pradesh have intensified following Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s recent assertion that nine BJP MLAs could be disqualified, potentially leading to by-elections. This situation has alarmed the BJP, which has been strategizing a comeback in the state.
The controversy originated on February 28 when nine BJP legislators allegedly disrupted the Vidhan Sabha by snatching and tearing documents, defying the Speaker’s directives. Leveraging video evidence, Congress accused them of severe misconduct and filed a petition for disciplinary action.
Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania responded by expelling the BJP MLAs for the budget session, but the issue persisted. Congress MLA Ajay Solanki’s petition, citing Article 194 of the Constitution, resulted in formal notices being issued to the nine MLAs. With the Speaker’s decision pending, CM Sukhu has confidently predicted the possible cancellation of these MLAs’ memberships, which could increase Congress’s strength to nearly 50 MLAs if by-elections ensue.
Complicating matters, BJP leader Jairam Thakur has turned attention to the six Congress Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPS) whose appointments face judicial review. With the High Court’s decision awaited, Thakur hinted that their potential disqualification might also lead to by-elections.
These developments have fueled a volatile political environment in Himachal Pradesh. CM Sukhu has accused Thakur of misleading the public and engaging in “hooliganism” in the Assembly. Meanwhile, Thakur has emphasized the possible loss of membership for the Congress CPS.
Political civility in the state seems compromised amid these power struggles. The BJP’s prominent campaign during the LS elections, spearheaded by Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, aimed to weaken Sukhu’s government, but recent by-elections have seen Congress gain ground. With independent MLAs resigning and recontesting on BJP tickets, the political landscape remains unpredictable.
Pertinent to mention that as both parties continue to exchange accusations, the prospect of ongoing by-elections threatens to extend the political instability in Himachal Pradesh.
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