Shimla: In an surprising flip of occasions, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday secured victory for its candidate within the lone Rajya Sabha seat in Himachal Pradesh, dealing a big blow to the Congress regardless of its dominant place within the state meeting. The BJP, with solely 25 MLAs within the 68-member Assembly, managed to clinch the victory, as asserted by Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur.
When requested about speculations of BJP bringing a ‘No Confidence Motion’ in opposition to him, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu mentioned, “…We will see when the Assembly session commences…Those who’ve gone (cross-voted) are being requested by their households why they did this. So, if the households are asking them, then perhaps just a few of them would take into consideration ‘ghar wapasi’.”
Expressing his displeasure over the Congress get together’s defeat, the Himachal Pradesh CM mentioned, “…When someone has sold out their honesty…Nine cross-votings took place, three of them were Independent MLAs but six others sold their honesty…and voted against him (Abhishek Singhvi)…”
Potential Ramifications For Congress
The potential loss within the Rajya Sabha polls not solely dents the Congress’s status but additionally raises the spectre of a no-confidence vote, posing a risk to the get together’s authorities in Himachal Pradesh, one of many few states it governs independently. Jai Ram Thakur, former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and a key BJP determine, congratulated the get together’s candidate, Harsh Mahajan, on the purported victory, highlighting the numerous upset for the Congress.
#WATCH | Rajya Sabha elections | Himachal Pradesh LoP Jairam Thakur says, “We are rightly saying that looking at this victory, the Himachal Pradesh CM should resign from his position…The MLAs have left him just within a year.”
State BJP has claimed that their candidate, Harsh… pic.twitter.com/sGrIRXWemt
— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2024
Allegations And Counter-Allegations
Amidst the electoral turmoil, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu alleged misconduct, claiming that a number of Congress MLAs had been taken away by safety forces. However, these allegations have been refuted by BJP leaders.
BJP Vs Congress In Himachal
The contest for the lone Rajya Sabha seat in Himachal Pradesh witnessed fierce competitors between Congress candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi and BJP’s Harsh Mahajan, regardless of Congress’s numerical benefit within the meeting. In an try and safe the victory of its candidate, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, the Congress issued a whip to its MLAs, mandating their help for the get together’s nominee.
Despite the Congress’s majority within the meeting, the BJP’s resolution to contest the seat has led to a aggressive electoral course of. Voting came about with 67 out of 68 legislators exercising their franchise, with one absent resulting from sickness.
The Rajya Sabha elections in Himachal Pradesh are a part of a broader electoral course of involving 56 seats from 15 states. These elections, held each two years, are vital in shaping the composition of the higher home of India’s parliament.
Rajya Sabha MPs are elected not directly by MLAs by proportional illustration. While many contests are predetermined, the electoral panorama often sees surprises, as evidenced by the current developments in Himachal Pradesh.
The outcomes of this surprising upset in Himachal Pradesh elevate questions in regards to the stability of the Congress authorities and the strategic manoeuvres employed by political events within the lead-up to essential Rajya Sabha elections.
