Himachal Pradesh crisis: Speaker reserves order on Congress’s petition to disqualify 6 disgruntled MLAs

Six Congress Himachal Pradesh's legislators, who cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha elections on Tuesday, returned to Haryana's Panchkula after attending the Budget Session of the Assembly. All the MLAs disembarked from helicopter at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex.

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 Rs 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 10 staged a walkout in protest.

The Vidhan Sabha was adjourned a day ahead of schedule as political scenario changed dramatically after defeat of Congress candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi in Rajya Sabha elections on Tuesday and announcement of resignation by Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh from the Sukhu cabinet.

The budget was presented on February 17 by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who also holds the finance portfolio.

Discussions on the budget were held for four days from February 19 to 22. PTI  

Speaker says staying in the house despite his ruling of suspension of the 15 legislators will be taken up.

Speaker puts the budget proposals for 2024-25 for voting. The budget is passed through voice vote.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi condemns BJP MLAs behaviour of throwing papers from the Speaker’s desk. Says BJP trying to intimidate everyone, including during the polling for Rajya Sabha election.

Negi said BJP president Rajeev Bindal tried to push his way into the polling area when voting for Rajya Sabha was on. He says when they have been suspended from the house they have no business staying inside the assembly. He says BJP believes in enticing opposition and use all unfair means to destabilise duly elected government.

Jai Ram Thakur says house is directionless and it’s been over 1 hour since the house had to reconvene after being adjourned.

He said suspension can be ordered only if the house is disrupted and we are willing to ensure smooth conduct of the house.

He said all rules have been overlooked making mockery of democracy. He said opposition members have been suspended only to facilitate passing of the budget as they do not have numbers in their favour.

He said if the Budget is not passed then the government will fall.

He said there is total anarchy.

Four MLAs, including Janak Raj, Ranbir Singh Nikka, Balbir Verma and Surinder Shourie, removed by Marshalls as most MLAs cordon Jai Ram.

Two more MLAs Han’s Raj and Puran Chand also removed from house. Marshalls request MLAs with folded hands to leave the house. Marshalls remove Inder Singh Gandhi.

Even as there are speculations that CM Sukhu has tendered his resignation to the party high command, but he will continue to remain in office till the Budget is passed.

The six Congress MLAs and three Independents arrive in the house amidst thumping of tables by BJP.

BJP raises slogans of ‘Jai Sri Ram, Ho gaya kaam’.

Jai Ram tells the nine MLAs that 15 BJP MLAs had been suspended.

Speaker has not arrived even after adjournment of the House till noon.

Marshals surround Jai Ram Thakur, asking him to leave the house. MLAs ask them not to touch Leader of Opposition.

Jai Ram says the government is in minority. Says he will not leave till the Speaker comes to the house.

Written order from the Speaker, suspending 15 BJP MLAs handed over to Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur. Suspension orders handed over individually to each of the 15 MLAs.

Vikramaditya Singh arrives in the house with Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri.

Marshals enter the house in large numbers urging the suspended 15 BJP MLAs to leave the house. Opposition demands written order from the Speaker. BJP leaders threaten the Marshalls not to touch any MLA. They say the government will be ousted within no time.

The 15 BJP MLA’s expelled include Jai Ram Thakur, Vipin Parmar, Randhir Sharma, Hans Raj, Vinod Kumar, Janak Raj, Balbir Verma, Lokinder Kumar, Trilok Jamwal, Surinder Shourie, Puran Chand, Dalip Thakur, Inder Singb Gandhi, Ranbir Nikka and Deep Raj.

Vikramaditya Singh after resigning does not come to the house.

Marshals enter the house and surround the BJP MLAs amidst complete pandemonium with counter sloganeering

Speaker adjourns the house. BJP MLAs climb to the Speakers chair and throw his papers all around.

Amidst complete pandemonium and sloganeering, Opposition moves to the well of the house.

Speaker orders Marshall’s to forcefully remove the 15 BJP legislators out of the house. Opposition MLAs stand around the Speaker’s podium and continue raising slogans.