'Cong govt in HP safe': Vikramaditya meets party high command

NEW DELHI: Indicating that state minister Vikramaditya Singh had spoken with AICC leadership, party sources on Monday claimed that the Congress government in Himachal pradesh is not in danger and will complete its five-year term

Additionally Sources mentioned that the leadership expresses confidence in chief minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and his accomplishments thus far. Therefore, a shift in leadership appears improbable at this time.

“The government is in majority and will serve the people of Himachal Pradesh for the full five years, and any attempt to crush the mandate with the help of money power will not succeed,” a party source involved in fire-fighting the political crisis in the state said.

Action has been taken against the rebel MLAs under the anti-defection law which prohibits the “Aayaram-Gayaram” tactics, the sources said.

The people of Himachal Pradesh also do not like such politics, they added.

Following the disqualification of six MLAs under the anti-defection law, the total number of MLAs in the House now stands at 62. According to sources, the government now enjoys a greater level of support than the majority figure of 32.

The BJP and rebel MLAs are solely disseminating misinformation about the government, as per their claims. They asserted that the rebel MLAs themselves are “apologizing and sending feelers.”

The sources also said Minister Vikramaditya Singh, the son of former chief minister Virbhadra Singh Congress’ state unit president Pratibha Singh, has spoken with senior AICC leaders and conveyed his issues.

Singh is the state’s public works department minister.

Sources indicated that chief minister Sukhu’s primary goal has been to foster a self-reliant Himachal Pradesh, focusing on enhancing education and healthcare, the sources said. They emphasized that he remains steadfastly committed to this objective and continues to work towards its realization

Congress sources have been highlighting the initiatives carried out during the Sukhu government, including the reinstatement of the old pension scheme for employee welfare, efforts in job creation, and the surge in state revenue. These efforts serve as indicators suggesting that a change in leadership is improbable.

The ruling Congress in Himachal Pradesh faced a setback last Tuesday as the BJP emerged victorious in the state’s lone Rajya Sabha seat. Despite being in the minority with only 25 MLAs compared to Congress’s 40, the BJP secured the seat as nine MLAs, including six from the Congress and three Independents, voted for BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan.

Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania on Thursday disqualified six Congress MLAs—Sudhir Sharma, Ravi Thakur, Rajinder Rana, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Chetanya Sharma, and Devinder Kumar Bhutto—for abstaining from voting on the Cut Motion and the Finance Bill.

Following the rebels’ cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha polls, Vikramaditya announced his resignation from the Cabinet on Wednesday. However, he softened his stance later in the evening after meeting with Congress observers, who informed him that the resignation had been withdrawn.

For more news like this visit TOI. Get all the Latest News, City News, India News, Business News, and Sports News. For Entertainment News, TV News, and Lifestyle Tips visit Etimes