Changing political equations in Himachal Pradesh; all eyes on Assembly session

Tribune News Service

Pratibha Chauhan

Shimla, February 28

With the Sukhvinder Sukhu government on the brink of a collapse, its fate will now be decided on the floor of the Vidhan Sabha as voting will take place on the cut motions.

The opposition BJP, which on Wednesday sought intervention of Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, is in no mood to let go of the opportunity of ensuring the collapse of the Congress government within 14 months of its rule.

The development comes amid speculation that some more Congress legislators are in touch with the saffron party to switch sides.

The Congress government will collapse if the six Congress legislators who cross-voted during the Rajya Sabha election on Tuesday, ensuring the defeat of party candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, vote in favour of the BJP in the House on Wednesday. Though it would ensure their unseating under the anti-defection law, it would pave the way for the fall of the government.

Reports suggest that all nine MLAs -- six from the Congress and three Independents who had voted in favour of BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan -- have arrived in the town here with tight security provided by the Centre. They had left for Panchkula on Tuesday, expressing security concerns after having cross-voted.

The assembly could witness uproar amidst escalating tension in both the camps.

Meanwhile, the Congress high command has appointed Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shiv Kumar and former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda as observers to talk to the disgruntled Congress MLAs. Sensing the discontent brewing among the MLAs owing to the style of functioning of the CM and their grievances not being addressed, the high command has been apprised that the number of MLAs who are not happy with Sukhu is far higher than six. As such, last ditch efforts are being made to save the government by agreeing to change the leadership and appoint someone else as the CM.

Political circles are rife with talk of some more Congress legislators keen to defect to the BJP. The minimum number of MLAs required to effect a split in the Congress is 14. As such eight more MLAs will be required to take the tally up to 14 so that there is a formal split in the party.

There had been talk of 'Operation Lotus' in the hill state for the past quite some time. In case there is a split in the party then the BJP will regain power in Himachal within a short span of 14 months.

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