Congress is trying to turn Defections and By-Elections... into a Major Issue..
In a strategic move, the Congress party in Himachal Pradesh has turned defection and rebellion into a significant issue, particularly ahead of the upcoming by-elections for four parliamentary seats and six legislative assembly constituencies on May 13, 2024.
This move comes after six Congress legislators cross-voted in favor of BJP candidates during the Rajya Sabha elections, leading to the victory of Congress candidates.
Subsequently, these legislators switched sides to join the BJP, prompting the Speaker to dismiss them from the assembly under the anti-defection law. Now, all rebel legislators are contesting on BJP tickets.
The Congress, aiming to make defection and rebellion a major issue, has fielded loyal party workers in all remaining constituencies except for Sujaanpur.
However, to ensure the strength of their narrative against defection, the Congress has refrained from giving tickets to certain leaders who had sought them but could weaken the stance against defection and rebellion. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukku is aggressively targeting defections, defection, and the BJP, accusing them of undermining democracy through defections and using money power to subvert democracy.
This attempt to topple the government through defection is not unprecedented in Himachal Pradesh.
In 1980, the Congress orchestrated defections leading to the collapse of the democratically elected Janata Party government, ultimately establishing a Congress government under the leadership of Thakur Ram Lal.
The acceptance of rebel candidates from Congress into BJP ranks raises questions about the loyalty of longstanding BJP workers.
The defection of six legislators has added a new chapter to political history in Himachal Pradesh, where ruling party legislators rebelled, challenging the government's stability.
Efforts to seek relief from the Supreme Court have failed, with the Speaker taking swift action and the judiciary refusing to intervene.
As the by-elections approach, the fate of these rebels lies in the hands of the people.
The verdict from the electorate will mark the conclusion of this chapter in political history, determining the course of Himachal Pradesh's politics.
