Himachal Pradesh faces political turmoil over no-confidence motion speculations against government

New Delhi, Feb 28: Himachal Pradesh is currently embroiled in a political maelstrom as Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu vehemently denied rumours circulating about his resignation, asserting his steadfast commitment to continue leading the state.

The opposition in Himachal, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) meanwhile has intensified its pressure on the Sukhu-led Congress government, alleging a loss of mandate and demanding the CM's resignation.

Sukhu, however, rebutted these claims, emphasizing that neither had he received any resignation requests nor had he contemplated stepping down.

The escalation in political tensions prompted discussions between Himachal Pradesh's Leader of Opposition, Jai Ram Thakur, and Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, amidst speculations of a potential no-confidence motion against the Sukhu government.

Thakur reiterated the BJP's stance, attributing the political turmoil to Congress's internal discord and perceived loss of mandate.

Yesterday’s defeat of Congress's Abhishek Manu Singhvi in the Rajya Sabha elections, attributed to cross-voting, has further exacerbated the internal rift within the ruling Congress party in Himachal Pradesh.

The sudden disappearance and subsequent reappearance of six Congress MLAs accused of cross-voting have added fuel to the fire, prompting accusations from Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who accused the BJP of employing financial influence and investigative agencies to subvert the people's mandate.

Amidst heightened uncertainty, the future trajectory of the state's political landscape remains unclear, contingent upon the decisions and actions of key stakeholders in the days to come.

Meanwhile, reports alleging Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's willingness to resign surfaced, which the Chief Minister vehemently refuted, portraying himself as a resolute defender of the Congress party's mandate for the full five-year term.

The turmoil intensified as Congress MLA Vikramaditya Singh tendered his resignation from the council of ministers, citing repeated humiliations by the Sukhu-led government. Singh underscored the urgency for the party's high command to strategize and navigate the turbulent waters in Himachal Pradesh.

Furthermore, the suspension of 15 BJP MLAs and the internal discord within Congress have exacerbated tensions, prompting heightened security measures around the Vidhan Sabha. BJP's Harsh Mahajan expressed confidence in forming a government, alleging Congress's imminent dismantlement.

Despite the political upheaval, the state's budget for 2024-25, totalling Rs 6,24,21.73 crore from the consolidated fund, was successfully passed in the Assembly session, leading to its adjournment sine die.

The passage of the budget was not without controversy, as BJP legislators staged a walkout in protest against the suspension of their colleagues. The Sukhu government has been grappling with survival since the unexpected setback in the Rajya Sabha polls, marking the third instance of political turmoil in an opposition-led state within just two months of 2024.