Himachal Pradesh News Highlights: Vikramaditya Singh announces to not to press for resignation

Amid the ongoing political crisis in Himachal Pradesh, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday said that the ruling government in the state is “safe”. Sukhu's comment came shortly after he held a meeting with the Congress observers in Shimla. Read more.

Amid a fresh scramble for power in the state, Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh on Wednesday announced that he is quitting from the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu cabinet but hours later he said that he will not press for his resignation.

"I am submitting my resignation to the chief minister and the governor," he told reporters in the morning.

Several hours later after meeting with the central observers, Singh said he would not press for the resignation.

"I have offered my resignation but the chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has not accepted it," he said.

The six Himachal Pradesh Congress MLAs, who cross-voted for BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan during the Rajya Sabha elections on Tuesday, were flown back to Panchkula after they appeared for hearing on a petition on anti-defection law before Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania.

These MLAs, namely Rajinder Rana, Sudhir Sharma, Ravi Thakur, Inder Dutt lakhanpal, Chetanya Sharma and Divender Kumar (Bhutto), who had left for Panchkula after voting on Tuesday, had returned to Shimla on Wednesday morning and left before the central Congress observers reached Shimla.

The six Congress MLAs along with three independents had reached Himachal Pradesh Assembly and were greeted with thumping and slogans by the BJP MLAs.

Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Pratibha Virbhadra Singh says, "You all know that after the formation of the government, some things were not going well. We had informed the party high command about this to resolve it. More than a year has passed but no decision has been taken and due to which we are facing such a situation. Vikramaditya Singh has not resigned from the party and he has said that I have resigned, although the Chief Minister has not accepted it. This is for those who have come as observers. It's up to them to decide what to do about it... let's see what happens."

After 15 BJP MLAs were suspended from the Assembly by Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania for allegedly creating a ruckus in the House, the Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur on Wednesday alleged that the move was part of a ploy to pass the budget and save the Congress government.

Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Thakur, who was among the 15 BJP MLAs to be suspended from the House, said, "The BJP had 25 MLAs in the House before some of the Congress MLAs cross-voted during polling for the Rajya Sabha seat. Our strength rose to 34 after the Rajya Sabha vote, which set off alarm bells in the government. They had to pass the budget by any means necessary or else this governmnt would fall. They knew they had to devise a ploy to reduce our strength in the House and ', hence, got some of our members, including myself, suspended in a desperate bid to save our government."

“Congress party observers who came to Shimla are talking with party MLAs and taking their opinions. They met Vikramaditya Singh and talked to him. CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and party high command have stated that they are not going to accept his resignation and he has also agreed not to press on his decision to resign,” said Congress MP Rajeev Shukla

Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh takes back his resignation as Himachal minister in ‘larger interest’ of party.

Himachal Pradesh Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harsh Vardhan Chauhan says, "The Congress government proved its majority today and passed the budget. Six rebel MLAs were also found absent today during the passing of the budget. I told the Speaker about this. We filed a petition yesterday to disqualify them and a hearing was held today...the Speaker will now take a decision on this..."

After the conclusion of the BJP leaders' meeting, party MLA Randhir Sharma says, "The chairperson of the Vidhan Sabha is biased towards the government. Unconstitutionally, he suspended 15 of our MLAs including the LoP, and ensured a smooth pass for their budget. Even though the budget has been passed, the government is still in the minority. Many of their MLAs are in touch with us."

As the Congress lurched into a fresh political crisis in Himachal Pradesh, fighting to stay afloat in the only heartland state it rules, senior party leader Sachin Pilot on Wednesday said the grand old party deputed observers, who have reached Shimla and will speak to dissident leaders in the state amid a rumoured rebellion in the ranks.

Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, the former deputy chief minister of Rajasthan said he was hopeful that all diferences and discord will be resolved soon.

"Our Rajya Sabha candidate from Himachal Pradesh, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, could not win the elections as some of our MLAs cross-voted. The party highcommand appointed observers, who have arrived in Shimla and will talk to all of them (dissident leaders). I hope the matter will be resolved soon," Pilot said.

After meeting with party Observers, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu says, "...Discussion was held regarding elections. Our govt is safe..."

On the political ruckus in Himachal Pradesh, Union Minister Gajendr Singh Shekhawat says, "The internal issues in Congress Party, and the way leaders of the party are running here and there, in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the downfall of Congress is certain... What happened in Himachal Pradesh is inspired by this series of events in the country."

On asking why his resignation is not accepted, Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh says, "It is the Chief Minister's prerogative... I do not take the pressure. I give pressure..."

Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar and senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda - appointed as the Congress Observers of Himachal Pradesh - meet Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Party incharge for the state Rajeev Shukla and former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel also present.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday took a sharp jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) amid the political crisis in Himachal Pradesh, saying that the party wants to "crush" people's mandate by misusing money, power, and central agencies.

She further claimed that the BJP is trying to push the state towards a "political disaster".

"In democracy, the general public has the right to choose the government of their choice. The people of Himachal used this right and formed the Congress government with a clear majority. But BJP wants to crush this right of the people of Himachal by misusing the money power, power of agencies and power of the Centre. The way BJP is using government security and machinery for this purpose is unprecedented in the history of the country," Vadra said in a post on X in Hindi.

When asked whether Congress MLAs who voted for the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections tomorrow will be forgiven or their memberships will be cancelled, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu says, "Hum toh sab ko maaf karne wale log hai, hum badle ki bhavna se kaam karne wale log nahi hain. All are our younger brothers... Our govt will complete 5 years."

On notice to 6 Congress MLAs who voted for the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections yesterday, Advocate Satya Pal Jain says, "The hearing on the disqualification petitions was held today. We have received notices from the Speaker and we have not received copies of the petition or annexures. We requested the Speaker to provide us a copy of the petition and annexures and give us time to file our reply...The Speaker did not comment anything. He heard the arguments and I told them that you should give us an opportunity, we will file a reply on facts. I brought the position of law also to his notice and I said that you are now acting as a judge, as a tribunal, as a judicial tribunal. Give us time. 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, whatever you were deemed fit. But he did not comment either way. He heard both sides and now he says the order has been reserved. The copy of the petition was supplied to us at 6.02 pm after the hearing of the case... It is a violation of the principles of natural justice and of the judgments of the Supreme Court..."

On notice to 6 Congress MLAs who voted for the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections yesterday, Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania says, "Under the Anti-defection law, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister from the Congress had given a petition. We have served the notice... A hearing has just ended... Both sides have spoken elaborately. I have kept my order reserved..."

Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh, who resigned as PWD minister in the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government on Wednesday, a day after the party lost the Rajya Sabha election, alleged that MLAs had been overlooked and attempts were made to stifle their voices.

The Congress lost the Rajya Sabha election on Tuesday despite a clear majority in the assembly with six party MLAs cross-voting in favour of the BJP.

Vikramaditya Singh, who is the son of six-time Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, alleged that there were attempts from some quarters to humiliate him in his role as a cabinet minister. He also alleged that the legacy of his late father was not given due respect.

When the author arrived two-and-a-half hours later than expected at the Shimla resort from Delhi, the staff asked if he had faced “farmer” problems on the way. All of them were contemptuous of the protest and roadblocks carried out by Punjab farmers. When they learnt that the author is a journalist travelling all over India for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, quite a few were willing to offer opinions. This was at about 4 PM on February 25. Read more

Amid a political crisis in Himachal Pradesh after the defeat of the Congress candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday asserted that they will run the government for five years.

"Neither the high command has asked me nor anyone else for resignation and there is no such thing," Sukhu told PTI Videos while replying to a question.

The six Congress MLAs, who were issued show-cause notice for defying the whip for Rajya Sabha polls on Tuesday, appeared before the Speaker along with their lawyer and argued that they had not been provided all the relevant documents.

Senior advocate Satya Pal Jain, who represented the six Congress MLAs before the Speaker, argued hat they were only given the notice and the copy of the petition filed on Tuesday evening while other annexure were not supplied to them.

Jain said according to rules, seven days' time has to be given to the MLAs for filing the reply the copy of the petition is supplied to them.

Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the six party lawmakers who voted in favour of the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls in Himachal Pradesh, causing political turmoil in the hill state. Calling for an “assessment of assets and liabilities” of the party, the former Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief said that the defeat of senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi in the Rajya Sabha elections is not just his loss but a larger one. Read more

The Congress top brass on Wednesday rushed former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and DK Shivakumar to Shimla to parley with members of the party which is facing loss of support and risks losing power in the state.

Sources said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is learnt to have spoken to former party chief Rahul Gandhi as also general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on the Himachal developments.

Congress and Independent MLAs from Himachal Pradesh who cross voted in the Rajya Sabha election yesterday, arrive in Panchkula, Haryana, reports news agency ANI

On Congress Rajya Sabha candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi losing the election from Himachal Pradesh, Congress leader Sachin Pilot says, "Some MLAs did not vote. The party has appointed observers who are reaching Shimla soon. They will speak to everyone. The matter would be resolved soon..."

On notice to 6 Congress MLAs who voted for the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections yesterday, Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania says, "The hearing is underway... The Parliamentary Affairs Minister has filed a petition. When the petition came to me, then I, as a Speaker have to function like a Tribunal... The hearing was underway till 2 pm... The hearing will continue again at 4 pm..."

On suspension of 15 MLAs from the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, LoP Jairam Thakur says, "The BJP has 25 MLAs. The number increased to 34 after the Rajya Sabha voting. This created a danger for the government... They had to pass the budget somehow otherwise the government would fall. For this, they had to decrease the no. of BJP MLAs. 15 MLAs including me have been suspended... We were suspended to save the Congress government. After our suspension, they passed the budget..."

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday claimed to have tided over the imminent threat to the government through some rebel MLAs and said the BJP's conspiracy to topple the government failed. Sukhu said there is no question of accepting the resignation of Vikramaditya Singh, Himachal Pradesh minister -- son of late Virbhadra Singh. Sukhu said Vikramaditya Singh is like his younger brother and all his grievances will be addressed. Read more

Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh on Wednesday announced his resignation from the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu cabinet.

"I am submitting my resignation to the chief minister and the governor," he told reporters.

"There have been attempts to humiliate and undermine me from some quarters and, in spite of reservations, I supported the government," he said.

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu says "...We've brought disqualification motion against them (Congress MLAs who voted for BJP candidate in RS polls) and hearing for the same is underway. The budget was passed today and the conspiracy to topple our govt has been foiled and our govt will complete 5 years..."

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said in a press conference on Wednesday that the Congress had sent three senior leaders—former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka D.K. Shivakumar, and former Chief Minister of Haryana Bhupinder Singh Hooda—to Shimla to speak to the party’s MLAs, after the cross-voting of nine MLAs in the Rajya Sabha elections yesterday threw the state’s government into a crisis.

Ramesh said that all decisions regarding the path ahead would be taken after the observers submitted their report, and would place the party’s interests and the popular mandate above all individuals. He declined to comment on whether or not Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu would be replaced, and emphasised that any “tough decisions” would only be taken after the discission of the report.

“They [the observers] have spoken to the Congress President today morning, and the Congress President has told them to meet all the MLAs, listen to their complaints and demands [..] and present a report to me as soon as possible. [..] Cross-voting has happened, but now we have to thing of what happens next,” Ramesh said.

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu says "One of the MLAs (who voted for BJP candidate in RS polls) has said to forgive him as he has betrayed the party...People of the state will give them an answer..."

On Vikramaditya Singh's resignation, CM says, "I have spoken with Vikramaditya Singh and he is my younger brother. There is no reason to accept his resignation. He has some grievances that will be solved."

Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha was on Wednesday adjourned sine die after the passing of budget for 2024-25 and related Appropriation Bill authorising the government to spend ₹6,24,21.73 crore from the consolidated fund.

The Budget was passed in the absence of BJP members as 15 of them were suspended and the remaining ten staged a walk out in protest

As the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh faces a risk of collapse, the party on Wednesday said it was weighing all options and will not hesitate to take tough steps to respect the people's mandate given to them.

Addressing reporters here, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said party president Mallikarjun Kharge has despatched three senior observers -- Bhupesh Baghel, Bhupinder Singh Hooda and D K Shivakumar -- to Shimla.

Amid a political crisis in the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government, party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday alleged that the BJP wants to "crush" people's mandate by misusing money power and central agencies.

In a democracy, the general public has the right to choose a government of their choice, she said.

On Himachal Pradesh political crisis, Punjab Minister and AAP leader Harpal Singh Cheema says, "...The work of horse trading of MLAs now started in Himachal Pradesh. This is unfortunate for the country...the people of the country have now understood that BJP is dangerous for democracy and people will come forward to save democracy..."

On the question of joining BJP, Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh said, 'There is nothing like this..." He further says, "Whatever I say, it is always based on facts and circumstantial evidence. Congress government headed by CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is there in the state...Today the Finance Bill has been passed..."

The rebel faction of congress legislators was spearheaded by Sujanpur MLA Rajinder Rana and Dharamsala MLA Sudhir Sharma. The remaining members of the group include Inder Dutt Lakhanpal from Barsar, Ravi Thakur from Lahaul-Spiti, Chaitanya Sharma from Gagret, and Devendra Bhutto from Kutlehar.

The Congress has asked Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, renowned as the party's main trouble-shooter, to help it tide over the political crisis in Himachal Pradesh. A day after the Congress embarrassingly lost the Himachal Pradesh's lone Rajya Sabha seat despite having a comfortable majority in the state assembly, the Bharatiya Janata Party today claimed that several MLAs of the ruling party are in touch and that it will soon form a government. Read more

Himachal Pradesh LoP Jairam Thakur says "Congress does not have majority and they cannot pass the budget, so they suspended 15 BJP MLAs without any reason. They will now try to pass the budget but it will be against the rules. If he (CM Sukhu) has even a little bit of morality left then he should resign..."

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday rejected some media reports that claimed that he has offered his resignation amid the crisis in the Congress government. Interacting with the reporters, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said, “Neither has anyone asked for my resignation nor have I given my resignation to anyone.” Read more

On cross-voting, Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh says, "Accountability will definitely be fixed. Accountability was fixed in Haryana...There are two parts of this report - first, why did the cross-voting happen here and how was it allowed to happen. Second, what steps should be taken to save the government and uphold the mandate? When the report comes, discussions will be held and decision will be made. Until then, all reports and speculations are baseless."

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "...A report will be presented to the Congress president, by the Observers at the earliest, after listening to everyone. Based on that, further steps will definitely be taken after speaking with the party president and other leaders. Maybe some harsh decisions will have to be made but we won't shy away from that. Organisation is supreme. Congress party is supreme..."

"Accountability will definitely be fixed. Accountability was fixed in Haryana...There are two parts of this report - first, why did the cross-voting happen here and how was it allowed to happen. Second, what steps should be taken to save the government and uphold the mandate? When the report comes, discussions will be held and decision will be made. Until then, all reports and speculations are baseless."

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar says on X, “As per the directions of the Congress high command, I am reaching #HimachalPradesh. Also there is absolutely no need to indulge in any hearsay, as I am confident that Congress Party legislators will be loyal to the party and stay put with the mandate that has been accorded to them. However, what should be questioned and worrisome is the extremes to which BJP is going in terms of acquiring power, deliberately attempting to crush democracy and public mandate in the process.”

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra says on X, “In democracy, the general public has the right to choose the government of their choice. The people of Himachal used this right and formed the Congress government with a clear majority. But BJP wants to crush this right of the people of Himachal by misusing the money power, power of agencies and power of the Centre. The way BJP is using government security and machinery for this purpose is unprecedented in the history of the country. If a party with 25 MLAs is challenging the majority of 43 MLAs, then it clearly means that it is dependent on horse-trading of representatives. This attitude of theirs is unethical and unconstitutional. The people of Himachal and the country are watching everything. The BJP, which did not stand with the people of the state during the natural disaster, now wants to push the state into political disaster.”

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu responding to resignation rumours said, "There are reports in some media houses that the CM has resigned. I want to clarify that I haven't resigned. I am a warrior. We will prove our majority during the Budget Session. I also want to make it clear that the Congress government will complete its full 5-year term."

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu LIVE updates: "Karnataka Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda and our incharge Rajeev Shukla are there. They have spoken with the Congress president. He has told them to meet and listen to all MLAs about their grievances and demands," Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh said.

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu LIVE updates: On six Congress MLAs and three independent MLAs who voted for the BJP candidate in Rajya Sabha elections, Jai Ram Thakur says "They are with us. There can be many others..."

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu LIVE updates: The chief minister's office has rejected the reports that claimed Sukhu has resigned as CM.

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu LIVE updates: Former Deputy Speaker Hansraj, Balh MLA Inder Singh Gandhi Darang, and MLA Puran Chand taken out of Vidhan Sabha.

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu LIVE updates: Three BJP legislators Janak Raj, Ranvir Singh Nikka, and Balbir Verma have been dragged out of the house by the marshals.

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu LIVE updates: Union Minister Anurag Thakur says, “No matter how much injustice they (Congress) do, it is of no use. One thing is clear, the people of Himachal were not ready to accept an outsider as the Rajya Sabha candidate of Congress, even their own MLAs were not ready to accept this. They used the moment to show their anger... What the Speaker did was inappropriate...if they don't have numbers, they themselves gave the first example of it.”

Congress MLAs who cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha election yesterday arrived at the State Assembly in Shimla today.

On the resignation of Congress' Vikramaditya Singh as a Himachal Pradesh minister, BJP's winning Rajya Sabha candidate Harsh Mahajan says, "I saw his press conference. What he said in the press conference is absolutely correct. I agree with it 100%. He is the son of Virbhadra Singh and is a youth icon in Himachal. The way he narrated in the press conference - how he was humiliated, how his father was humiliated - what options he had? What he did, did on moral grounds and is absolutely correct."

Ravi Thakur, a Himachal Pradesh Congress MLA who participated in cross-voting during the Rajya Sabha election, arrived at the State Assembly in Shimla. When asked whether his affiliation was with BJP or Congress, he responded, "BJP."

In the assembly session on Wednesday, the Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly expelled 15 BJP MLAs, including LoP Jairam Thakur, Vipin Singh Parmar, Randheer Sharma, Lokender Kumar, Vinod Kumar, Hans Raj, Janak Raj, Balbir Verma, Trilok Jamwal, Surender Shori, Deep Raj, Puran Thakur, Inder Singh Gandhi, Dileep Thakur, and Inder Singh Gandhi. Their expulsion was purportedly due to shouting slogans and engaging in misconduct within the Speaker's chamber.