Shimla: In a significant blow to the Congress party in Himachal Pradesh, state minister Vikramaditya Singh tendered his resignation this morning, citing grievances against Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Singh accused Sukhu of disregarding the state’s MLAs and showing disrespect to his late father, Virbhadra Singh, who was a prominent figure in the Congress party in the region.
These developments unfold amidst a series of dramatic events in Himachal Pradesh over the past 24 hours, escalating from a contest for a single Rajya Sabha seat to a critical battle for the survival of the Congress government. With 40 MLAs in the 68-member Assembly, the Congress party finds itself in a precarious position.
Addressing the media, Vikramaditya Singh reflected on the sequence of events leading up to the current crisis. He highlighted the collective leadership under which the 2022 Assembly elections were fought, emphasizing the pivotal role of his late father, Virbhadra Singh. Singh underscored the widespread use of his father’s image and influence during the election campaign.
Singh also hinted at underlying tensions within the party, particularly regarding leadership choices. His mother, Pratibha Singh, was considered a frontrunner for the Chief Minister’s post before Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was appointed.
Expressing his concerns over the government’s functioning and fiscal management, Singh emphasized his commitment to the people of Himachal Pradesh. He criticized the neglect of MLAs’ voices and highlighted discrepancies that were repeatedly raised with the party high command but remained unresolved.
Singh drew attention to the support of the state’s youth for the Congress party but questioned the government’s ability to fulfill its promises to them.
The Congress government, previously enjoying a comfortable majority, now faces a crisis following the cross-voting of six MLAs in the Rajya Sabha election. This development led to the victory of BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan after a tie and a subsequent draw of lots, defeating Congress nominee Abhishek Singhvi.
In response to the escalating situation, the Congress has dispatched senior leaders Bhupinder Singh Hooda and DK Shivakumar to Himachal Pradesh in an attempt at damage control.
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