Himachal Political Crisis HIGHLIGHTS: There Should Be A Coordination Between Congress And State Govt, Says Pratibha Singh
Himachal Political Crisis HIGHLIGHTS: Please follow this space for all the latest updates and breaking news on the political crisis in Himachal Pradesh.
"We have to face challenges and we all want the development of the state and the people," Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu told ANI.
"I have been saying since the start that there should be a coordination between the Congress party and the state," Congress president Pratibha Singh told ANI.
"After Rajya Sabha elections everybody started thinking that Himachal Pradesh government is breaking...I also came across news that the state CM has resigned, which I highly condemned, this all was done to ensure that during final voting our numbers get down. Their (BJP) only purpose is to take down our government, people will give them befitting reply," Himachal CM Sukhvinder Sukhu told ANI.
"Congress government is there and Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is the Chief Minister. All the MLAs want Congress government for 5 years...No operation Lotus here," DK Shivakumar told ANI after meeting with party MLAs in Himachal Pradesh.
"A 6-member coordination committee consisting of CM, PCC, Deputy CM and three members will be constituted. The names of these three members will be announced later," Congress observer Bhupinder Singh Hooda told ANI.
"All is well and the government will stay for five years. We have had a word with all the MLAs and all the differences have been ironed out. There is no problem with the government. We will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections unitedly," Congress leader DK Shivakumar said after meeting with the party legislators in Himachal Pradesh.
"The entire country has seen the political happenings in 'devbhoomi' Himachal Pradesh. If Congress had a majority why wasn't the Division Board which we had asked for a vote on the Financial Bill in Vidhan Sabha given? Why was the House adjourned? If Congress had a majority why were 15 MLAs from BJP suspended?," BJP leader Jairam Thakur told ANI.
The long wait for Vikramaditya Singh and Pratibha Singh at the Shimla hotel where Congress observers are holding a meeting with party members is over after the mother-son duo arrived at the venue to meet the observers, DK Shivakumar and Bhupinder Singh Hooda.
When asked about the disqualification of 6 Congress MLAs and if that would have an impact on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Himachal Pradesh Congress president Pratibha Singh says, "Definitely, why not? When it has been more than a year and you take no cognisance or listen to them, it is natural for them to be upset. Had you sat them down, talked to them and found out a solution, this situation would not have occurred."
Himachal Congress chief and former Chief Minister late Virbhadra Singh's wife Pratibha Singh expressed her disappointed with the party high command. "We have put forth our grievances in front of the high command, now they have to take a call," she said while speaking in an exclusive interview with ABP News.
"They will have to acknowledge the demands kept by Vikramadtiya like installing a statue of Virbhadhra Singh," said, adding "We are disappointed that we are not being heard."
"Virbhadra Singh has been humiliated."
32 Congress MLAs are present in Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's residence for the "breakfast meeting". Party leader Vikarmaditya Singh has also been invited but he has not reached the venue yet.
Pronouncing the judgment on the cross-voting by six rebel Congress MLAs, Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania said: "..As per the anti-defection law, our secretariat received the petition filed against 6 legislators through the complainant who is also the Himachal Pradesh Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harsh Wardhan Chauhan. When a speaker acts under the 10th schedule then he does not enjoy the power and privileges of the speaker but his position is as a tribunal, here I am in the shape of a tribunal judge...This pronouncement is in reference to those observations made by the Supreme Court and High Courts in various judgments..."
"Six MLAs, who contested on Congress symbol, attracted provisions of anti-defection law against themselves...I declare that the six people cease to be members of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly with immediate effect," he added.
Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania pronounces the judgment on cross-voting by six Congress MLAs disqualifying all of them.
Supporters of Congress leaders Vikramaditya Singh and state Congress chief Pratibha Singh gather outside a Lodge in Shimla.
Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker will give his judgment on the disqualification of six Congress MLAs today.
"Speaker has suspended 15 BJP MLAs from the house; this suspension was definitely done to save the government. Had the budget motion not passed today, it would have established the fact that the government has lost majority,” BJP leader Jairam Thakur told PTI.
"It is the responsibility of every individual to strengthen the organisation. In the larger interest and unity of the party, the resignation by me in the morning which the CM refused to accept, I would not like to press it further. There was no danger (to the government)," Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh told PTI on his resignation from cabinet.
"The Congress government proved its majority today and passed the budget. Six rebel MLAs were also found absent today during the passing of the budget. I told the Speaker about this. We filed a petition yesterday to disqualify them and a hearing was held today...the Speaker will now take a decision on this," Himachal Pradesh Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harsh Vardhan Chauhan told ANI.
"Discussion was held regarding elections. Our govt is safe," Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu told ANI after meeting Congress observers.
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"The internal issues in Congress Party, and the way leaders of the party are running here and there, it shows that the downfall of Congress is certain... What happened in Himachal Pradesh is inspired by this series of events in the country," Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat told ANI.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot expressed hope that the party will soon resolve the political crisis in Himachal Pradesh. "Our party has appointed observers in Himachal Pradesh...they will talk to everyone and hopefully the matter will be resolved very soon," PTI quoted Pilot as saying.
"Hum toh sab ko maaf karne wale log hai, hum badle ki bhavna se kaam karne wale log nahi hain. All are our younger brothers... Our govt will complete 5 years," Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu told ANI when asked about cross-voting in Rajya Sabha elections.
Congress leaders Bhupinder Singh Hooda and DK Shivakumar, appointed as party observers, reach Shimla amid Himachal Pradesh crisis.
Congress and Independent MLAs from Himachal Pradesh who cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha election on Tuesday, arrived in Panchkula in Haryana, ANI reported.
"Congress is a sinking ship. When there's hole in the ship, people will try to get off," Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai told PTI.
"The proposal was brought by the Parliamentary affairs minister. Because what happened yesterday was unexpected... The BJP members were not in their seats... They started raising slogans after the House was adjourned... They were trying to create an atmosphere where they could attack me... I requested them to sit but they didn't listen... Everything is on record," Himachal Pradesh Assembly, Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania told ANI, on the suspension of 15 BJP MLAs.
"We've brought disqualification motion against the Congress MLAs who voted for BJP candidate in RS polls and hearing for the same is underway. The budget was passed today and the conspiracy to topple our govt has been foiled and our govt will complete 5 years," CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu told ANI.
As Congress firefights an existential crisis in Himachal Pradesh, BJP leader Jairam Thakur said the grand old party no longer has majority in the Assembly, PTI reported.
"The work of horse trading of MLAs now started in Himachal Pradesh. This is unfortunate for the country...the people of the country have now understood that BJP is dangerous for democracy and people will come forward to save democracy," Punjab Minister and AAP leader Harpal Singh Cheema told ANI.
The Himachal Assembly Speaker has sent a notice to six Congress MLAs who cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha polls seeking a response as to why they should not be disqualified under the anti-defection law, said their lawyer, advocate Satyapal Jain.
"Notice has been served to them (by Speaker) as to why they should not be disqualified under the anti-defection law," Jain said.
"I appeared on their behalf and we have said that we have only received the notice, not the copy of the petition, so a copy of the petition should be given to us and after that, we will present our stand," he said.
"As per Rule 7, a minimum time of 7 days should be given. The hearing will be held again today at 4 pm...," the advocate added.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi launches an all-out attack against BJP over the political crisis unfolding in the state. She alleged that the saffron party was "dependent" on horse-trading to challenge the Congress' majority in the state. "The BJP, which did not stand with the people of the state during the natural disaster, now wants to push the state into political disaster," she said.
On expulsion of 15 BJP MLAs from the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, the Leader of Opposition in the House Jairam Thakur says: "The way BJP MLAs have been suspended from the House (Himachal Pradesh Assembly), it is completely against the democracy. We could have understood this move if we had interrupted the Assembly proceedings. It is very unfortunate that the Speaker has presented lies,"
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has refuted reports of his resignation saying his government will prove majority during the Budget Session.
"There are reports in some media houses that the CM has resigned. I want to clarify that I haven't resigned. I am a warrior. We will prove our majority during the Budget Session. I also want to make it clear that the Congress government will complete its full 5-year term," Sukhu said.
On being asked about Vikramaditya Singh's resignation as minister from his cabinet, Sukhu said, "We will talk to him. He's like my younger brother."
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh says the party will fight against 'Operation Lotus' in Himachal Pradesh.
"Cross-voting has happened but now we need to think ahead," said Ramesh, adding "we are not running away from it."
"Kharge has asked observers to meet everyone and listen to their grievances and report him immediately."
On BJP MLAs being expelled by Himachal Assembly Speaker, Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur says: "We went to meet the Governor in the morning today and I said that since Congress does not have the majority to pass the Budget in the Assembly, the Speaker will suspend BJP MLAs. Today, as soon we entered the Assembly, 15 BJP MLAs were suspended and were taken out of the Assembly by the marshals. This is highly condemnable..."
One of the observers appointed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Bhupinder Singh Hooda leaves for Shimla from Chandigarh. The observer meeting will be held at 3:30 pm on Wednesday.
Himachal Pradesh minister and Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh announces he is stepping down from his position.
Himachal Pradesh minister and Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh announces he is stepping down from his position.
15 BJP MLAs, including Himachal Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur, have been expelled by the Himachal Assembly Speaker for 'misconduct' in the Chamber of Speaker.
The suspended MLAs are: Jairam Thakur, Vipin Singh Parmar, Randheer Sharma, Lokender Kumar, Vinod Kumar, Hans Raj, Janak Raj, Balbir Verma, Trilok Jamwal, Surender Shori, Deep Raj, Puran Thakur, Inder Singh Gandhi, and Dileep Thakur.
One of the Congress MLAs, Ravi Thakur who cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha election on Tuesday said he was with BJP when asked by reporters as to with which party he sided with.
Congress observers appointed by party president Mallikarjun Kharge — Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and senior party leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda — will chair a meeting with Himachal's party unit amid a looming crisis at 3:30 pm today in Shimla. Decision of Chief Minister Sukhivnder Singh Sukhu resignation will be taken in the meeting.
As per ABP News sources, Sukhu is likely to resign by Wednesday evening and Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri's name is doing rounds as the next Himachal CM. The picture will now be clear after the meeting with observers.
As Congress MLAs turn rebel, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has proposed to resign from his post. Although he has not given any resignation yet to the Governor. As per sources, Sukhu might step down by Wednesday evening and Mukesh Agnihotri is the frontrunner as the next CM.
Background
Himachal Political Crisis HIGHLIGHTS: Please follow this space for all the latest updates and breaking news on the political crisis in Himachal Pradesh. A new political crisis unfolded in Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday after six Congress MLAs cross-voted for the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections in the state on Tuesday.
The ruling Congress party suffered a shocking loss in the hill state after party stalwart Abhishek Manu Singhvi, fielded by Congress, was defeated by BJP Harsh Mahajan after six MLAs from the grand old party voted for the BJP candidate.
The MLAs said they were "dissappointed" by Sukhu's working and were not being heard.
After Tuesday's development, the political temperatures soared high during winter month in the hill state since Wednesday morning after Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Leader of Oppsition, Jairam Thakur reached Raj Bhavan with BJP MLAs to meet Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla amid the buzz that they might present no-confidence motion against the Sukhu government.
Later in the day, 15 MLAs from the saffron party including Thakur were expelled by the Speaker for shouting slogans and misconduct in the Chamber of the Speaker.
On the other hand, Congress leader and Himachal minister Vikramadiyta Singh also trained guns on his party government saying that the MLAs turned rebel because they were being "overlooked" and their voices being "stifled". He also announced that he was stepping down from his position during a press conference in Himachal.
"I have never said anything about the functioning of the government, but it is my responsibility to say it clearly today...I have always said that position and cabinet berth is not important for me. For me, the most important thing is the relationship with the people of Himachal Pradesh," he added.
"But the kind of system prevailing in the government in last one year, how MLAs were overlooked and attempts were made to stifle their voices - this is a result of that," Singh said.
The Rajya Sabha polls were conducted for 15 seats across three states — Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh — on Tuesday. The BJP emerged victorious on all 8 seats in UP, three in Karnataka and the lone seat in Himachal. In Karnataka, the Congress won three seats.
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