Shimla, Feb 29:
The Congress scrambled Wednesday to save its government in Himachal Pradesh, amid dramatic developments that included suspension of 15 BJP MLAs by the Speaker and a resignation offer by high-profile minister Vikramaditya Singh.
Singh, who is the son of Himachal Congress president Pratibha Singh, said in the morning that he is submitting his resignation from council of ministers but hours later softened his stand.
After a meeting with central observers, who were rushed by the party to Shimla, Singh cited Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s “rejection” of his “offer” to resign and the need for unity in the party. In view of this, he told reporters, he is not “pressing” for it.
He also claimed then that the state government was never in crisis.
The turbulence in Himachal was triggered by Tuesday’s cross-voting by six Congress MLAs in the Rajya Sabha election for the lone seat from Himachal Pradesh.
The party has now sought the disqualification of these MLAs from the assembly. The matter was heard by Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania who has reserved his order.
The suspended BJP MLAs, who include the leader of the opposition Jai Ram Thakur, initially refused to leave the House – in an apparent bid to stall the Assembly from passing the Sukhu government’s Budget through voice vote.
The BJP wanted voting on the Budget, which they felt would reveal that the Congress has lost its majority in the state assembly.
But in the afternoon, the crisis was staved off for the time being as the House passed the Finance Bill by voice vote with no Bharatiya Janata Party member being present. The Speaker then adjourned the session sine die.
Chief Minister Sukhu dismissed speculation that he was resigning. “Neither the high command, nor anyone else has asked me for resignation,” Sukhu said.
He said the Congress Government will complete its five-year term in the state.
From Delhi, the Congress mounted a damage control exercise to stop the possible loss of a party-ruled state just weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge despatched three observers – Bhupesh Baghel, Bhupinder Singh Hooda and D K Shivakumar – to Shimla, and the party indicated that it could take some “tough steps”.
In the evening, the observers began their interaction with party MLAs.
