SHIMLA: As it was on the cards, six disqualified Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from the Congress party officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today, in the presence of top BJP leadership of Himachal Pradesh in NewDelhi.
The defection came on the heels of the resignation of three independent MLAs from the Vidhan Sabha, who were escorted by BJP leaders to submit their resignations yesterday.
The six Congress MLAs who crossed the political aisle to join the BJP are Sudhir Sharma, Rajinder Rana, Inderdutt Lakhanpal, Ravi Thakur, Chaitanya Sharma, and Devendra Buttu.
They formally joined BJP in the presence of leader of opposition Jai Ram Thakur, IB Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, BJP president Rajiv Bindal, Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Mahajan and other leaders in Delhi today.
Their defection marks a significant shift in the state's political landscape and underscores the ongoing power struggles within the Himachal Pradesh assembly ahead of the Lok Sabha polls on June 1.
The BJP's ability to attract opposition members highlights its growing influence and strategic maneuvers in consolidating power within the Himachal Pradesh.
This has shaken the foundations of the Congress stronghold in the state.
Led by Sudhir Sharma, a prominent face in the Congress and close to the family of Late Raja Virbhadra Singh, the MLAs cited dissatisfaction with Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu's leadership, alleging lack of development in their constituencies.
The move, which follows mounting discontent within the Congress ranks, raises questions about the stability of the state government, charged Jai Ram Thakur claiming that the Sukhu government's days are numbered now.
With all six MLAs officially joining the BJP, speculations arise regarding potential resignations or further rebellions from Congress.
The defection comes amidst assertions from opposition leader Jai Ram Thakur, who confidently declared an end to the Sukhu government's tenure, claiming the time for change had arrived.
Such sentiments echo previous doubts about the longevity of the government's rule, highlighting a sense of betrayal among Congress loyalists.
The defections, confirmed in Delhi, mark a significant shift in Himachal Pradesh politics, as the Congress loses key pillars of support in Kangra, Tribal Lahaul-Spiti in Mandi, Hamirpur Lok Sabha seats.
The development also raises concerns about the Congress' future prospects in the Lok Sabha elections on four seats in the state.
Congress despite having 40 MLAs could not hold them together and made them act as a team as discontent continued to hog the headlines on digital, social and print media daily for the last one year.
This in turn gave BJP ample opportunities exploiting the Congress discontent to its advantage.
Meanwhile, in a retaliatory move, Shimla Municipal Corporation has issued notices against the defectors, including Inderadut Lakhanpal, for alleged illegal construction, while road leading to Ravi Thakur was blocked.
What exactly the Sukhu Government wants to achieve by doing these things, asked Jai Ram Thakur.
As the dust settles on these seismic political maneuvers, the fate of Himachal Pradesh government hangs in the balance, with the BJP poised to capitalize on the disarray within the Congress ranks.
As political tensions continue to simmer, the ramifications of these defections are expected to queer the pitch further as dissension are running thick and high in the Congress, boding ill for the Congress in Lok Sabha elections, said the analysts.
