Tensions flared in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly as Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania suspended 15 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs on Wednesday for alleged disruption in his chamber. Among those suspended were prominent figures like Jai Ram Thakur, Vipin Parmar, and Randhir Sharma.
The suspension came following a recommendation by State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, prompting uproar and protests from opposition members. The Assembly was adjourned amid disruptions, further intensifying the political turmoil.
The BJP has condemned the move, accusing the Congress of orchestrating it to thwart potential government instability ahead of the Budget session. Harsh Mahajan, the BJP’s victorious Rajya Sabha candidate, labeled the suspension as a desperate attempt by the Congress to cling to power.
Adding to the Congress government’s woes, Vikramaditya Singh, a state minister and son of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, announced his resignation, citing untenable circumstances. Singh’s resignation underscores the deepening crisis within the government, particularly as it navigates through the ongoing Budget session.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur, representing Himachal Pradesh, lambasted the Congress government, alleging a failure to fulfill promises made to the electorate. Thakur highlighted the disillusionment among constituents and the struggles faced by Congress MLAs, pointing to internal strife within the party.
The BJP’s demand for division voting on the Budget further escalates the political standoff, with the fate of the government hanging in the balance. With 40 Congress MLAs, 25 BJP members, and three independents in the 68-member Assembly, the power dynamics remain volatile.
As Himachal Pradesh grapples with political upheaval, the suspension of BJP MLAs and the resignation of Vikramaditya Singh underscore the deepening rift within the state’s political landscape. Amidst heightened tensions, the Assembly’s proceedings remain fraught with uncertainty, raising questions about the stability of the government and the future direction of governance in the state.
