Himachal Pradesh government was on the brink on Wednesday as Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh resigned as public works minister amid the brewing discontent over chief minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu's leadership.
“All I would like to say is that under the current circumstances, it is not correct for me to continue as a part of the government. So, I have decided that I am resigning from the Council of Ministers. In the time to come, I will have video consultations with my people and then decide about the future course of action,” Singh told a press conference.
Also Read: Himachal BJP legislators meet governor, complain about Speaker’s behaviour
Singh's resignation comes a day after six Congress MLAs cross-voted in Rajya Sabha elections, resulting in an embarrassing defeat of party candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi. The cross-voting in Rajya Sabha polls and the resignation of Vikramaditya Singh have brought the rift between factions loyal to CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and state unit chief Pratibha Singh out in the open.
Also Read: Who is Congress MLA Vikramaditya Singh? Why did he resign?
{{/usCountry}}Also Read: Who is Congress MLA Vikramaditya Singh? Why did he resign?
{{/usCountry}}Vikramaditya Singh, son of Pratibha Singh and former CM Virbhadra Singh, said the government was formed with everyone's contribution but the MLAs were overlooked and attempts were made to stifle their voices.
"The (state) government failed to find even a small piece of land on Mall Road to install the statue of a person (Virbhadra Singh) who was the CM of Himachal Pradesh six times, because of whom this government was formed," he lamented.
“I have spoken with the high command, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, (party) national president about what all has happened in the last two days. The call has to be taken by the high command,” Singh added.
The BJP MLAs, meanwhile, met Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Wednesday amid apprehensions that the Assembly Speaker might suspend its MLAs or disqualify the Congress legislators who cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha election.
"We are apprehensive that Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania might suspend the BJP MLAs so that the budget could be passed in the Vidhan Sabha," Thakur told reporters here.
"As per our information, notices have been issued to Congress MLAs who voted for the BJP candidate, asking them to explain why action should not be taken against them under the anti-defection law," he said.