Himachal Govt In Trouble? CM Alleges 'Haryana Police Took Away 5-6 MLAs', BJP Claims Cong Govt ‘Lost Majority’

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu alleged that a CRPF and Haryana Police convoy "has taken away 5-6 MLAs" while the BJP claimed that his government "has lost majority."

File Photo of Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu with BJP's Jairam Thakur

Source : PTI

New Delhi: Himachal Pradesh's Leader of Opposition and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jairam Thakur said on Tuesday that the Congress government led by Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has lost its majority in the state. When questioned about if the state BJP would demand a floor test, Thakur responded, "The budget will be presented tomorrow. We will discuss the budget tomorrow and then we will see the situation there. But I can see that the government has lost the majority." 

Speaking to the media, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu claimed that a CRPF and Haryana Police convoy "has taken away 5-6 MLAs".

"The manner in which the counting has begun and Opposition leaders are threatening the polling officers again and again is not right for democracy...They had halted the counting for long. I urge the Himachal BJP unit's leaders - have patience, don't put pressure on people...CRPF and Haryana Police convoy have taken away 5-6 MLAs. I can say that the people who have gone away are being contacted by their families, I urge them to contact their families...There is no need to worry," he remarked, as per ANI.

#WATCH | Rajya Sabha Elections | Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu says, "The manner in which the counting has begun and Opposition leaders are threatening the polling officers again and again is not right for democracy...They had halted the counting for long. I urge the… pic.twitter.com/FffPrwABDv

— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2024

According to ANI, Himachal Pradesh MLAs, who had arrived in Panchkula from Shimla, headed back to their state.

#WATCH | Haryana | Himachal Pradesh MLAs, who had arrived in Panchkula from Shimla, head back to their state.

Himachal LoP Jairam Thakur has claimed that BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan has won the Rajya Sabha election. pic.twitter.com/IyxbD1GGtM

— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2024

Voting took place for a highly anticipated Rajya Sabha election battle in Himachal Pradesh, with the BJP expressing optimism about its candidate's chances of victory.

Notably, when asked about speculations of BJP bringing a No Confidence Motion against him, Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said, "...We will see when the Assembly session commences...Those who have gone (cross-voted) are being asked by their families why they did this. So, if the families are asking them, then maybe a few of them would think about 'ghar wapasi'.

#WATCH | Rajya Sabha Elections | When asked about speculations of BJP bringing a No Confidence Motion against him, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu says, "...We will see when the Assembly session commences...Those who have gone (cross-voted) are being asked by their… pic.twitter.com/Djq8CRd0m8

— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2024

 

 

Congress Abhishek Manu Singhvi Vs BJP's Harsh Mahajan For Sole Rajya Sabha Seat In Himachal

The competition for the sole Rajya Sabha seat in Himachal Pradesh is intense, with Congress candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi facing off against the BJP's Harsh Mahajan. Mahajan, a former three-time Congress MLA and minister who resigned from the party in September 2022 ahead of the Assembly polls to join the BJP, reported news agency ANI.

Despite the Congress holding a significant majority with 40 out of 68 MLAs, along with the backing of three independent MLAs, the BJP, with only 25 MLAs, is far behind in the number game, it has forced a contest by fielding Mahajan against Singhvi. Notably, on Sunday, the Congress issued a whip to its MLAs, directing them to vote for the party's candidate, Abhishek Manu Singhvi. As per the whip, all MLAs are required to display their ballots to the authorized agent, who has the authority to invalidate a vote if any MLA refuses to comply with this procedure, reported ANI.

On Monday, the BJP nominee lodged a complaint with the Chief Election Commissioner, alleging that the Congress had issued a three-line whip to its MLAs for the Rajya Sabha polls, which he deemed unethical. "Such a whip is not only unethical but also against the conducting of elections to the Rajya Sabha as it will affect the decision-making ability of the MLAs," Harsh Mahajan said in his complaint, as per ANI.

After the complaint was filed, the Congress criticised BJP State Minister Harsh Wardhan Chauhan's remarks, alleging that the accusations directed at the poll body were a manifestation of frustration within the BJP. Chauhan,  claimed that the BJP was contemplating "horse trading." "This is the BJP's frustration because the number of MLAs is not in favour of the BJP. 40 MLAs are with Congress, and 3 are independent. The BJP only has 25 MLAs. ...even without numbers, BJP is fielding their candidate, which means they're planning horse trading..." Chauhan said.

Voting for the 56 Rajya Sabha seats from 15 states, which are set to fall vacant in April is being held today. Rajya Sabha MPs serve a six-year term, with elections held every two years for 33 percent of the seats. Presently, the Rajya Sabha comprises 245 members. MPs for the Rajya Sabha are elected indirectly by MLAs through the system of proportional representation. These elections are typically straightforward, with candidates from all parties often winning unopposed, resulting in smooth sailing for all party candidates, as per ANI.