'Sarkar Rahegi Bhi Toh...': Jairam Thakur's Swipe At Congress's Internal Crisis In Himachal. WATCH

Jairam Thakur said even if Congress manages to save its government in the state, "it will not survive".  

File Photo Of Former Himachal Pradesh CM Jairam Thakur

Source : PTI Images

In response to a series of political developments that occurred following the cross-voting incident during Rajya Sabha polls on Tuesday in the hill state, Himachal Pradesh Leader of Opposition (LoP) and former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur stated on Friday that the state government's recent actions have harmed Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu's image throughout the state. He went on to say that even if Congress is able to save its state government, "it will not survive".

"We are We are sitting here, we are not doing anything. Whatever is happening - it is happening amongst them. alert regarding the political developments," former Himachal CM told ANI. 

He further said: "But the unethical and wrong methods that have been adopted to save the government - suspension of BJP MLAs, disqualification of 6 Congress MLAs - and a few hasty decisions that have been taken have affected the image of the CM across the state. He should understand this."

#WATCH | Shimla | LoP Himachal Pradesh, Jairam Thakur says, "We are sitting here, we are not doing anything. Whatever is happening - it is happening amongst them. We are alert regarding the political developments taking place. But the unethical and wrong methods that have been… pic.twitter.com/azzf6pKNjr

— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2024

Thakur also said that according to him even if the grand old party manages to save its government in the hill state, it will be unable to sustain it. "Mere hisab se sarkar rahegi toh chalegi nahi. They have created a situation that raises the question - whether the government will remain," Thakur said. 

#WATCH | Shimla | On the state government, LoP Himachal Pradesh, Jairam Thakur says, "Mere hisab se sarkar rahegi toh chalegi nahi. They themselves have created a situation that raises the question - whether the government will remain." pic.twitter.com/iWI8jkDHDU

— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2024

We Are Busy With Our Own Work: Thakur On Bringing 'No Confidence Motion' In Himachal

When asked if they will bring a No Confidence Motion against the state government, LoP Himachal Pradesh, Jairam Thakur says, "We are busy with our own work. Whatever is happening is all happening amongst them. Nobody else but they are responsible for it". 

#WATCH | Shimla | When asked if they will bring a No Confidence Motion against the state government, LoP Himachal Pradesh, Jairam Thakur says, "...We are busy with our own work...Whatever is happening is all happening amongst them. Nobody else but they themselves are responsible… pic.twitter.com/kO4OZwsGK2

— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2024

Earlier on Thursday, Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania disqualified six Congress MLAs who had cross-voted in the recent Rajya Sabha elections for allegedly defying a party whip while voting on the state budget in the assembly.

DK Shivakumar, the Congress' central observer, stated that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has accepted responsibility for party leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi's defeat in the Rajya Sabha elections and that all differences have been resolved after speaking with party MLAs individually.

Later on Thursday evening, Public Works Department Minister Vikramaditya Singh, who had offered to resign on Wednesday but later stated that he would not press for it, attended the cabinet meeting.

Sudhir Sharma, Ravi Thakur, Rajinder Rana, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Chetanya Sharma, and Devinder Kumar Bhutto have all been disqualified as MLAs.

In the evening, a notification was issued stating that these six MLAs would no longer be members of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly effective February 29.

The six disqualified MLAs will file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the orders, Rajinder Rana told PTI.

"Only one of the six MLAs received the notice on WhatsApp on February 27 night and we were present in the House on February 27 and 28," he told reporters.

Following the disqualification of the rebel legislators, the House's effective strength has dropped from 68 to 62, while the number of Congress MLAs has fallen from 40 to 34. The BJP has 25 MLAs in the House.

This is the first time in Himachal Pradesh history that an MLA has been disqualified under the anti-defection law.