Credit: ANI
Himachal crisis: Speaker suspends 15 BJP MLAs, minister Vikramaditya Singh announces 'resignation'
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.
Congress confronts Khattar govt on MoU with Rajasthan on Yamuna water sharing
Congress on Wednesday confronted the M L Khattar government on the MoU signed with the Rajasthan government on the Yamuna water sharing issue and even staged a walkout in the Assembly over it.
The ruling BJP defended the MoU saying it is aimed only to address the challenges posed by surplus rain water and that the state's interests were protected.
Himachal Speaker reserves order on party's petition to disqualify 6 rebel MLAs
Himachal Pradesh Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania on Wednesday reserved his order on a Congress petition seeking disqualification of six party MLAs who cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha election. The six MLAs also face the possibility of disqualification on another count.
The Speaker of Himachal Pradesh Assembly Kuldeep Singh Pathania likely to pronounce the order on the future of 6 defected Congress MLAs today around 11 am
The petition was filed by Congress MLA and parliamentary affairs Minister Harsh Wardhan Chauhan under anti-defection law for disqualification of the 6.
Sukhu calls breakfast meet of all Congress MLAs
Supporters of Vikramaditya Singh and state Congress chief Pratibha Singh gather outside a Lodge in Shimla.
Himachal Pradesh Speaker disqualifies 6 Congress MLAs, who cross-voted for BJP, from Assembly 'with immediate effect'
Credit: X/@ANI
Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania says, "Six MLAs, who contested on Congress symbol, attracted provisions of anti-defection law against themselves. I declare that the six people cease to be members of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly with immediate effect..."
As per the anti-defection law, our secretariat received the petition filed against 6 legislators through the complainant who is also the Himachal Pradesh Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harsh Wardhan Chauhan: Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker
"...When a speaker acts under the 10th schedule then he does not enjoy the power and privileges of the speaker but his position is as a tribunal, here I am in the shape of a tribunal judge...This pronouncement is in reference to those observations made by the Supreme Court and High Courts in various judgments..."
Recap: Why did the political crisis start in Himachal Pradesh?
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.
How is the Congress managing the crisis in Himachal Pradesh?
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, D K Shivakumar, Bhupesh Baghel, Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Congress leader Rajeev Shukla during a meeting, in Shimla
Credit: PTI Photo
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. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said Kharge has asked the observers and AICC in-charge for the state Rajeev Shukla to speak to all MLAs, including those who are disgruntled.
"When it has been more than a year and you take no cognisance or listen to them, it is natural for them to be upset: Himachal Pradesh Congress president Pratibha Singh on disqualification of 6 Congress MLAs
Credit: PTI Photo
Had you sat them down, talked to them and found out a solution, this situation would not have occurred, says Pratibha Singh on disqualification of 6 Congress MLAs
Karnataka Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda and local Congress leaders and MLAs held a consultation at Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu's residence in Shimla today.
Credit: X/@ANI
Credit: X/@ANI
Credit: X/@ANI
Recap: Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania addresses a press conference regarding the disqualification of six Congress MLAs for defying their party whip on voting, during the Budget session, in Shimla
Credit: PTI Photo
All is well: Congress observer D K Shivakumar asserts after meeting with Vikramaditya Singh and Pratibha Singh in Shimla
"All is well. This govt will stay for 5 years. All issues have been sorted out. We are hearing all the MLAs. There is no problem in the government," D K Shivakumar said on Thursday.
Via ANI
A 6-member coordination committee consisting of CM, PCC, Deputy CM and three members will be constituted: Bhupinder Singh Hooda
‘No Operation Lotus here, Sukhu is the CM': D K Shivakumar
When asked if Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu will remain CM for five years, Congress observer D K Shivakumar said, "Congress government is there and Sukhu is the CM. All the MLAs want Congress government for 5 years...No operation Lotus here."
CM Sukhu takes responsibility for Singhvi's defeat in RS poll: Central observer D K Shivakumar
We have spoken to Himachal CM, Cong MLAs and state unit chief; all differences have been ironed out, says D K Shivakumar
Priyanka Gandhi played 'pivotal' role in 'foiling Operation Lotus' in HP
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra played a "pivotal" role in protecting people's mandate in Himachal Pradesh, remaining in constant touch with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and senior leaders to "foil" the BJP's 'operation Lotus', sources said Thursday.
This came after the Congress asserted that the situation in Himachal Pradesh is "completely under control" of the party and the BJP has "failed" in its attempts to "destabilise the elected government" there.
"The way Congress MLAs rebelled in Himachal Pradesh during the Rajya Sabha elections, it seemed that another state would be lost from the hands of the Congress. But the high command of the party showed activeness and strictness, as it not only averted the crisis of rebellion but the government was also saved," a party source said.
via PTI
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