Himachal Pradesh News: Six rebel Congress MLAs disqualified by Speaker to move SC

Himachal Pradesh News Live: Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania announced on Thursday the disqualification of six Congress MLAs who abstained from voting on the Budget in the assembly, after cross-voting in the recent Rajya Sabha polls. One of the disqualified MLAs expressed intent to challenge the Speaker's decision in the Supreme Court, PTI reported.

The six rebel Congress MLAs defied the party whip to vote in favour of the government on the cut motion and finance bill, prompting the ruling Congress to seek their disqualification.

Himachal Pradesh News Live: Amid reports of political instability, Congress national observers brokered a truce in Himachal Pradesh. However, Opposition leader Jairam Thakur suggests slim chances of survival for the ruling party in the future. Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivkumar, dispatched by the high command to resolve tensions, reassured the government's stability and unity within the party.

Speaking to ANI, Thakur accused the Assembly Speaker, who earlier suspended 15 BJP MLAs, including the former CM, of behaving like a Congress leader.

Himachal Pradesh News Live: Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has assumed responsibility for Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi's defeat in the Rajya Sabha polls, party's central observer DK Shivakumar on Thursday said. Shivakumar added that the central observers have engaged in discussions with Sukhu, party MLAs, and state unit chief Pratibha Singh, successfully resolving any discord.

Speaking to the media alongside party observer Bhupinder Hooda, Shivakumar said that after individual consultations with Congress MLAs and discussions with Sukhu and state Congress chief Pratibha Singh, any discrepancies have been resolved. He further announced the formation of a coordination committee to address internal issues, emphasising that no leader would communicate with the press.

Himachal Pradesh News Live: Regarding the reports of Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's resignation from the Chief Minister's post in Himachal Pradesh, he stated that the news is part of a "conspiracy" and refuted the claim.

“I don't know where this news (of my resignation) came from. I refuted that claim. That news was spread as part of a conspiracy so that our numbers go down during voting (in the House for Budget passage). We have run the government honestly, and they (BJP) have been trying to destabilise it,” Sukhu said on Thursday while addressing media.

Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: Congress observer Bhupinder Singh Hooda says, “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.”

(ANI)

Himachal Pradesh News Live: Amid the political turmoil in Himachal Pradesh, DK Shivakumar, Karnataka's deputy chief minister and Congress observer, when asked if Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu will remain CM for five years, says, “Congress government is there and Sukhu is the CM. All the MLAs want Congress government for 5 years...No operation Lotus here.”

Himachal Pradesh News Live: Regarding the suspension of 15 MLAs from the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, Jairam Thakur, the Leader of the Opposition in Himachal Pradesh says, “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?”

(ANI)

Himachal Pradesh News Live: Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Himachal Pradesh's political situation says, “These allegations have been leveled against the BJP for years. Whether they cheat in elections like we all saw during Chandigarh (Mayoral) elections or they try to buy the MLAs of another party and threaten them. I feel, that these allegations should be investigated.”

Himachal Pradesh News Live: Congress observer and Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar, after meeting with Himachal Pradesh Congress leaders Vikramaditya Singh and Pratibha Singh in Shimla says, “All is well. This govt will stay for 5 years. All issues have been sorted out. We are hearing all the MLAs. There is no problem in the government.”

(ANI)

Himachal Pradesh News Live: Himachal Pradesh minister Vikramaditya Singh and Congress MP Pratibha Singh arrive at a hotel in Shimla to meet ‘Congress observers’.

According to ANI, sources revealed on Thursday that the Congress observers assigned to handle the situation in Himachal Pradesh have suggested retaining Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu as chief minister until the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. These sources further indicated that senior leaders Bhupinder Singh Hooda and DK Shivakumar, appointed as observers in the state, have submitted their initial findings to Congress's high command.

Himachal Pradesh News Live: Congress MLA Vikramaditya Singh, who withdrew his resignation as a state minister, remains a puzzle for the party's leadership. Despite stating he wouldn't pursue the matter further, the son of former Himachal CM Veerbhadra Singh was notably absent from a breakfast gathering hosted by CM Sukhvinder Sukhu. While 32 MLAs attended the meeting, Speaker Kuldeep Pathania was concurrently addressing the media about his ruling to disqualify six MLAs.

Himachal Pradesh News Live: “We want to say one thing very clearly. The Prime Minister and the so-called Chanakya have completely failed in Himachal. After the intervention of the Congress leadership and the promptness of our observers, the situation there is completely under the control of the Congress,” Jairam Thakur said on himachal political crisis.

Himachal Pradesh News Live: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took a pointed dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday amidst the political turmoil in Himachal Pradesh. She accused the BJP of attempting to subvert the people's mandate through the misuse of resources, influence, and central agencies. Vadra asserted that the BJP's actions were steering the state towards a perilous political crisis.

Himachal Pradesh News Live: "I had said that I won't press it. Dialogues are underway. Observers are here and they trying to set everything right. We will speak with them again...Himachal is 'devabhoomi', it has blessings of the deities and I had also gone to Ayodhya and took blessings of Lord Ram. So, we have everyone's blessings. There is no problem" Vikramaditya Singh said.

Himachal Pradesh News Live: Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda and local Congress leaders and MLAs held a consultation at Himachal CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu's residence in Shimla today.

Himachal Pradesh News Live: "Our experts analyse the situation and after looking at their judgments, we will take a decision. It is too early to say anything. Congress was totally exposed in the Rajya Sabha elections...Congress has lost its opportunity. Morally they have no right to stay in power and emotions of the people of Himachal Pradesh are clear from this," he said.

Himachal Pradesh News Live: “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,” she said.

Himachal Pradesh News Live: CM Sukhu on Wednesday dismissed reports of his resignation and said, “Neither has anyone asked for my resignation nor have I given my resignation to anyone.”

Himachal Pradesh News Live: Speaking about the disqualified Cong MLAs Speaker said that they had defied party whip to vote in favour of government on financial bill.

Himachal Pradesh News Live: On his resignation as a minister in the Himachal Pradesh cabinet, Congress MLA Vikramaditya Singh said, "I had said that I won't press it. Dialogues are underway. Observers are here and they trying to set everything right. We will speak with them again...Himachal is 'devabhoomi', it has blessings of the deities and I had also gone to Ayodhya and took blessings of Lord Ram. So, we have everyone's blessings. There is no problem..."

Himachal Pradesh News Live: "It is not right for me to say anything on this as of now. Our Observers have come here and they have witnessed and understood the situation. The speaker has taken this decision. So, I don't think it is correct for me to make a comment on the same. Like I said, we will speak with the Observers and we we will see what the future course of action will be," said Himachal Pradesh minister Vikramaditya Singh.

Himachal Pradesh News Live: The petition was filed by Congress MLA and parliamentary affairs Minister Harsh Wardhan Chauhan under the anti-defection law for disqualification of the six MLAs.

Himachal Pradesh News Live: The six MLAs who have been disqualified are Sudhir Sharma, Rajinder Rana, Davinder K Bhutto, Ravi Thakur, Chaitanya Sharma and Inder Dutt Lakhanpal.