Shimla: The estranged MLAs of the Congress and three Independents have given rise to speculations of crossing voting for coveted Rajya Sabha seat here as the voting is complete and presiding officer awaits green signal from the election commission of India to start counting.
The spotlight is on BJP's Harsh Mahajan and Congress's legal luminary, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, as they vie for supremacy in this high-stakes contest.
All the 68 MLAs cast their votes including Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who arrived in Shimla on Monday after concluding the prayer meeting in the memory of his wide Prof Simmi Agnihotri w
ho died early this month.
With tension mounting and rumors swirling of potential vote-splitting, anticipation runs high for the imminent results.
Led by Jai Ram Thakur BJP MLAs entered the Vidhan Sabha created ruckus, shouting slogans, seeking fair elections
Congress, boasting a solid backing of 40 MLAs and three independent supporters aligned with the Sukhu government, exudes confidence.
However, BJP remains undeterred, banking on the prospect of sowing discord within the Congress ranks.
The BJP's hopes soar hoping that two estranged MLAs, Sudhir Sharma and Rajinder Rana, who threaten to unsettle the Congress stronghold.
Adding to the drama, BJP defiantly opposes the whip issued by the Congress, setting the stage for a showdown.
As the assembly buzzes with fervent discussions and strategic maneuvering, all eyes are on the outcome of this electrifying Rajya Sabha contest. The results are expected after 5pm.
