In a recent turn of events within the Himachal Pradesh Congress, State Minister Vikramaditya Singh retracted his resignation shortly after submitting it in response to internal party unrest and a defeat in the Rajya Sabha elections. The episode began when six Congress MLAs reportedly voted in favor of a BJP candidate, which led to a shocking loss for Congress. This cross-voting led to Singh’s immediate resignation. However, after discussions with party command observers, he decided to keep his resignation on hold in the interest of maintaining party unity.
Despite the setback, Congress leader Rajiv Shukla affirmed the government’s majority, undercutting any suggestion of vulnerability. The conflict also involved emotional elements, with Singh citing disrespect towards his deceased father, Virbhadra Singh, who was a prominent figure in the party.
In an effort to assert control, the Himachal Pradesh government convened following the chaotic Rajya Sabha votes. With the potential threat of a no-confidence motion and the Assembly in disarray, 15 BJP MLAs were suspended for misconduct. This maneuver allowed Congress to pass the state budget and temporarily stabilize the government, much to the dismay of the opposition BJP, who criticized the suspensions as a strategy to secure the government’s survival.
As the drama unfolds, the status of the six rebel MLAs who cross-voted remains in question. The Speaker is expected to rule on their case based on the anti-defection law. The incident has sparked significant debate, with the opposition asserting that Congress has lost the moral high ground to stay in power after the tumultuous events that unfolded in the state’s political theatre.