Turmoil in Himachal: Minister quits but CM Sukhu stays confident

NT Bureau, Agencies

Shimla/New Delhi: The Congress scrambled on 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 but later softened his stand.

After a meeting with 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 view of this, he told reporters, he is not “pressing” for it. He also claimed 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 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 to resign," Sukhu said.

He said the Congress government will complete its five-year term in the state. Congress stalwart Abhishek Manu Singhvi was defeated by BJP's Harsh Mahajan Tuesday through a draw of lots, after the two candidates bagged 34 votes each.

The result meant that the Congress had failed to reach the halfway mark.

Meanwhle Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar along with former Haryana CM Bhupinder Hooda arrived in Shimla to make sure the only Congress government in North India remained intact.