Himachal Political Crisis: Congress infighting and BJP's calculated move | Opinion
Himachal Political Crisis: In a surprising turn of events, six Congress MLAs from Himachal Pradesh have been disqualified from the Assembly after cross-voting in favour of the BJP during the recent Rajya Sabha election. This move, as polotical experts say, orchestrated by the BJP, initially seemed like a political coup for the opposition party, but it has now faced a setback as the disqualified MLAs find themselves out in the political cold.
The disqualified MLAs - Rajinder Rana, Sudhir Sharma, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Devinder Kumar Bhutoo, Ravi Thakur, and Chetanya Sharma - had received applause and congratulations from the BJP for their alleged act of 'bravery' when they arrived in the Assembly. However, their actions have now led to their disqualification from the Assembly, as they defied the party whip to vote in favour of the government on the Finance Bill.
The Speaker of the Himachal Assembly, Kuldeep Singh Pathania, cited the violation of the anti-defection law as the grounds for their disqualification. This move has effectively closed the chapter on the BJP's hopes of returning to power through a no-trust vote, as the six MLAs, who had initially supported the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha election, are now ousted from the Assembly.
Also Read | Farmers' protest grips India while European farmers rally against green deal | Explained
Also Read | Tragedy strikes Ghaziabad couple at Delhi zoo, both die within hours of each other
Also Read | Missing JEE aspirant from Kota found in Himachal's Dharamshala after 11 days
Also Read | Elderly couple steals hearts with 'Take a Look at My Girlfriend' challenge | Watch
The Congress, despite a two-day scare over the possibility of a BJP resurgence, can now breathe a sigh of relief. The state Budget was passed after the Speaker suspended 15 BJP MLAs, demonstrating the Congress's ability to maintain its majority in the 62-member House.
This political drama raises questions about the internal dynamics within the Congress party in Himachal Pradesh. The actions of the six disqualified MLAs suggest a lack of cohesion and discipline within the party ranks. The defiance of the party whip indicates a rift between the leadership and certain members, possibly fueled by dissatisfaction or dissent within the Congress.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in her response to the developments, accused the BJP of attempting to overthrow the Himachal Pradesh government through misuse of money power, agencies, and the influence of the Central Government. Her statement reflects the larger concern of opposition parties regarding the alleged manipulation of democratic processes and the erosion of the people's right to choose their government.
In the aftermath of the disqualification, the Congress now has 34 MLAs in the Assembly, minus the six disqualified members. The BJP's calculated move, while initially appearing to be a strategic masterstroke, has now backfired, leaving them with fewer options to challenge the ruling party in Himachal Pradesh.
-
