The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, led by Sukhvinder Sukhu, is currently experiencing political turmoil. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleges a loss of majority amid reports of cross-voting during the Rajya Sabha elections. At least nine MLAs from the ruling camp have reportedly cross-voted in favor of the BJP candidate, raising concerns about the stability of the government.
While the Congress party won the Himachal Pradesh assembly elections in 2022 with 40 seats in the 68-member house and has the support of three independent MLAs, reports suggest a potential shift in allegiance by nine MLAs. Former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur indicated that the BJP might seek a trust vote, stating that the government appears to have lost the majority.
Despite the Congress having the numbers to secure the Rajya Sabha seat, the BJP fielded Harsh Mahajan, a three-time Congress MLA who joined the BJP, against Congress candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi. The unexpected challenge has intensified the political situation in the state.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed confidence that the MLAs would vote in alignment with the party’s ideology. However, the BJP’s claims and the possibility of a trust vote add uncertainty to the political landscape in Himachal Pradesh.
The Rajya Sabha elections in the state witnessed 67 out of 68 legislators casting the votes While 41 candidates in 56 seats falling vacant were elected unopposed to the Upper House, the contest in Himachal Pradesh has heightened the sense of political drama.
The unfolding developments highlight the fluid nature of political dynamics in Himachal Pradesh, with potential repercussions on the Congress government’s stability and the state’s political landscape.
