Political Storm in the Congress Government Subsides as Vikramaditya Singh Takes Back Resignation

: Category: Latest; Published: 28 February 2024

KuldeepChauhan,Editor-in-Chief,HimbuMail

Vikramaditya Singh, Rajiv Shukla-nShimla

SHIMLA: Amid a high voltage drama. the Sukhu government has survived the political shock today as the storm seemed to have ebbed out as of now.

In a high-stakes political maneuver, Congress government has survived but Congress as party turned out to be a loser.

PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh has taken back his resignation after the Congress high level team placated him and his supporters here today evening, giving a big relief to the Sukhu Government.

Congress guided by Legal stalwart Abhishek Manu Singhvi managed to conduct the proceedings tactfully on the floor of the Vidhan sabha today.

The Party issued a whip for the passage of Budget today and suspended 15 BJP MLAs from the House for creating ruckus.

The Six Congress rebel MLAs came from Panchkula and attended the Assembly. The Speaker in a shrewd move passed the Budget through the voice vote that came as a blow to the BJP’s strategy demanding the voting on cut-motion and Finance Bill.

After the Budget was passed by voice vote, Congress government heaved a sigh of relief.

On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), later in the evening, had its meeting chaired by Saudan Singh to make next line of action to topple the incumbent Congress government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

The BJP's strategy hinges on luring a eight more MLAs, which seems unlikely as of now, to turn tables against the Sukhu government.

As many as 14 Congress MLAs- an impossibility at the moment- if join the anti-Congress government band wagon can bring down the government.

But six MLAs face disqualification moment they enter the Governor House in protest, as atleast 14 MLAs out of 40 are needed to convice Governor to put the Vidhan Sabha in suspended animation, say experts.

In the second case, if the rebels have to survive the anti-defection law in no trust motion they need 28 MLAs to challenge the government defecting to approach the Governor seeking the dismissal of the current government- a remote remote possibility right now.

BJP's plan to bring this into play hangs in the balance for the time being.

Six Congress MLAs, went back to Panchkula after the Budget was passed tactfully by the Sukhu government Congress team is placating them.

Harsh Mahajan's win has come as a big shock for the party and challenged the Sukhu leadership in the state. The six rebel Congress MLAs, camped in Panchkula had crossvoted against Singhvi.

Mahajan created history by winning the Rajya Sabha seat despite BJP having 25 MLAs and Congress having 40 MLAs. Three independents also voted against the Congress candidate thereby managed a tie-election.

Lady luck smiled on Mahajan in a lot of draw. He became first leader who never lost any elections he contested and won this one despite number not being BJP's side.

Now the specter of disqualification on six MLAs looms large.

But Congress also faces a piquant situation in case byelection are held on six seats after Speaker disqualified them.

In case BJP win all the six seats, Congress would be pushed to the brink as BJP would indulge into a game of do or die, said the analysts.

BJP number will soar to 31 and with support of three independents the party will enjoy edge.

The Congress will have 34 MLAs. In this scene, BJP stands to have an edge as the Speaker cannot exercise his vote. Congress number will be reduced to 33.

Both Congress and BJP are debating all possibilities at the top level.

Meanwhile Congress High Command's intervention has halted Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu from accepting Singh's resignation.

"Efforts are underway to placate Singh and bring him back into the government fold and addressed his issue of erecting statue of Virbhadra Singh on The Ridge to honlour him and the like", illustrating the intense tug-of-war within the Congress ranks.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly holds a pivotal role in this power play.

The possibility of disqualifying the defected MLAs looms large, as the Speaker stands ready with disqualification letters.

This move, if executed, could significantly impact the BJP's calculations to topple the government.

With the BJP needing eight more MLAs to achieve their goal of toppling the Sukhu government, the Congress High Command's intervention has temporarily thwarted their plans.

Will the BJP succeed in its audacious bid to seize power, or will the Congress manage to hold its ground amidst internal strife? Only time will tell as the political drama in Himachal Pradesh continues to unfold.

Vikramaditya Singh, accompanied by Rajiv Shukla, told media that organizational strength is bigger than individual interests.

He stated, "The organization is more important than any individual, and maintaining its strength is our collective responsibility. We have conveyed our views to the party high command"

Singh highlighted unity within the party, noting the presence of key Congress from various states to address the issue that created the storm in the party. Regarding recent developments, he mentioned his resignation, stating, "This crisis was not inevitable, but through positive thinking and collective effort, solutions can be found."

Singh reaffirmed the party's commitment to serving the state and its people through strong governance, emphasizing the need for trust in collective judgment.

He concluded, "It is our collective responsibility to strengthen the government and serve the people, and for that, we must trust our own judgment and work together."

The storm seemed to have ebbed out but lull after the storm is equally potent.

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Sword of Uncertainty Over Six CPSs’ Fate Temporarily Lifted: Relief for Sukhu Government

In a major relief to the Himachal Pradesh government, the Supreme Court has stayed the High Court’s directive to initiate disqualification proceedings against six MLAs who were appointed as Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPSs).

This decision, welcomed by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has brought a temporary reprieve to his administration, which was grappling with the political and legal ramifications of the High Court’s order.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court had earlier quashed the appointments of the six CPSs, deeming them unconstitutional, and directed the Assembly Speaker to initiate disqualification proceedings under the anti-defection law.

However, the Supreme Court’s stay has effectively paused the implementation of this directive, offering the government some breathing space to strategize its next legal move.

CM Sukhu Hails Supreme Court’s Clarity

Speaking to media persons in New Delhi, CM Sukhu expressed his satisfaction with the Supreme Court’s interpretation, which he said provided much-needed clarity on the matter.

"The relief granted by the Supreme Court is significant, and we will deliberate on the next steps after considering all legal aspects,” he said.

The Chief Minister also emphasized that the apex court’s interpretation differed from paragraph 50 of the High Court’s verdict, which had been the basis of the controversial directive.

Opposition’s “Childish” Behavior Criticized

Shifting his focus to the opposition, Sukhu took a sharp jab at their tactics, describing their behavior as “childish” and lacking focus on real issues.

“There are no controversies here, but their behavior is simply immature. From toilet tax to ‘Samosa Politics,’ they are just distracting from the real issues,” he said.

Sukhu accused the opposition BJP of attempting to create diversions because of its failure to make a dent in the Congress’s strength during the Vidhan Sabha elections.

“Their ‘Operation Lotus’ was decisively rejected by the people, and Congress retained its 40-seat strength. Now, they resort to personal attacks to divert attention from our welfare schemes,” he added.

Relief Amid Mounting Challenges

The Supreme Court’s stay on the High Court’s order has momentarily eased the pressure on the Sukhu government, but the sword of uncertainty continues to hang over the six MLAs who served as CPSs.

With questions around their appointments still unresolved, the case remains a legal minefield.

The CPS appointments had drawn criticism for allegedly violating constitutional provisions, which prohibit the creation of such posts without legislative backing.

The High Court’s scathing remarks and the directive for disqualification had added fuel to the controversy, creating a storm in the state’s political landscape.

While the Supreme Court’s intervention provides temporary relief, the Sukhu government must now prepare for a protracted legal battle to defend the appointments and protect its legislative majority.

Opposition’s Counterattacks

The BJP, meanwhile, has been quick to pounce on the issue, accusing the government of flouting constitutional norms for political convenience. Party leaders have argued that the CPS appointments were a backdoor way to reward loyalists, a claim that Sukhu has staunchly denied.

The opposition’s attacks, combined with the ongoing legal scrutiny, highlight the precarious nature of the government’s position. For now, the Supreme Court’s decision is a welcome pause, but the final word on the matter could still have far-reaching consequences for the political stability of Himachal Pradesh.

Sukhu’s Call for Responsibility

Amid the controversy, Sukhu reiterated his commitment to governance and welfare. He called on the opposition to act responsibly and raise issues that matter to the common man.

“Significant progress has been made in improving the socio-economic status of the underprivileged during this tenure, and that remains our priority,” he stated.

With the legal wrangling far from over, the fate of the six CPSs—and the stability of the Sukhu government—remains inextricably tied to the unfolding courtroom drama.

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