New Delhi: A day after humiliating defeat in Rajya Sabha election, the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh was dealt another blow on Wednesday after PWD minister Vikramaditya Singh tendered his resignation.
The Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government came on the brink of an untimely collapse as six MLAs sided with the BJP along with three independents and cross voted in favour of BJP candidate.
Following the developments, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed that Sukhu government has lost the majority and demanded the chief minister’s resignation.
The BJP also demanded division of votes for the State Budget scheduled to be presented in the House today.
Soon after, 15 BJP MLAs, including Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur were suspended from the House for alleged misconduct and shouting in Speaker’s chamber.
The suspension of 15 MLAs has brought the numbers slightly in favour of the ruling Congress government as it brought down the strength of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly to 53.
In a 53-member house, the majority mark would be 27, thus, making it easy for the government to clear the motion to pass the finance bill with a simple majority.
How Congress lost Rajya Sabha election?
In the 68-member Himachal Pradesh assembly, the Congress has 40 MLAs, while the BJP has 25 legislators and there are three independents as well. Before Tuesday’s Rajya Sabha polls, the Congress government enjoyed the support of 43 MLAs, including three independents.
However, the rebellion of six Congress legislators has changed the equation in favour of the BJP. Besides, the three independents also voted in favour of the BJP.
With support from nine additional MLAs, the BJP candidate polled 34 votes, equal to the Congress candidate. Beyond this point, both the Congress and BJP needed luck and it favoured the saffron party.
The final outcome was decided through a draw of lots and BJP emerged victorious.
Agencies

Agencies