Himachal Pradesh Police on Sunday registered a case against Hamirpur's independent MLA Ashish Sharma, and Gagret's ‘now disqualified’ MLA Chetanya Sharma’s father, and others over ‘electoral offences’ linked to the recent Rajya Sabha polls wherein six Congress legislators voted for the BJP candidate from the State. The case has been filed on the basis of a complaint lodged by Congress MLAs — Sanjay Avasthi and Bhuvneshwar Gaur.
Ashish Sharma and Chetanya Sharma, along with seven others, including six Congress rebels and three independents, voted in favour of BJP nominee Harsh Mahajan during the Rajya Sabha polls on February 27. The alleged involvement of Chetanya Sharma's father, a retired bureaucrat, in the matter is yet to be disclosed.
The case has triggered a crisis in the Congress-led Government in Himachal, as it appears to have lost its majority in the assembly. The registered case includes charges of criminal conspiracy, corruption practices, and undue influence on the election.
Adding a new layer to the political crisis, Congress MLAs Avasthi and Gaur filed a complaint seeking an investigation into electoral offences, corrupt practices, and criminal conspiracy related to the sequence of events since the Rajya Sabha polls.
In response to the complaint, one of the six Congress rebels, Rajinder Rana, expressed dissatisfaction, stating, “With this attitude, the CM should be ready to face the consequences in the future.” Rana warned that pressure tactics would not yield positive results.
The Congress legislators have demanded an investigation into charges of money trading, misuse of helicopter, and security forces, and criminal misconduct. They claim direct evidence that the BJP is covering transportation costs through helicopters and accommodation in five-star properties in Haryana and Uttarakhand.
Chief Parliament Secretary Sanjay Avasthi highlighted that such illegal activities are unfamiliar in Himachal Pradesh, and even the Supreme Court has ruled that elected representatives are not immune to criminal proceedings for accepting money and favors.
Confirming the receipt of the complaint, Shimla Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi stated that a case has been registered under relevant sections of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act. Investigations have commenced.
The six Congress MLAs who voted against their party's directive were disqualified, along with the three independents. Presently in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, and guarded by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), they allege pressure from Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. The political landscape in Himachal Pradesh remains uncertain as investigations unfold.
‘Rebel’ Cong MLAs Accuse Sukhu of Favoritism, Secrecy
Nine MLAs from Himachal Pradesh, including six Congress rebels and three independents, have accused Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of favoritism and secrecy. These allegations come in the wake of the recent Rajya Sabha polls where the MLAs voted in favour of the BJP, leading to their disqualification from the Congress party.
MLAs, in a joint statement issued in Shimla, asserted that they are fighting a battle of self-respect and called into question the Chief Minister’s approach towards them. They criticized Sukhu for allegedly seeking compromises while simultaneously making derogatory statements likening them to “black snakes” and “shepherds” during public meetings.
The MLAs, including Sudhir Sharma, Ravi Thakur, Rajinder Rana, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Chetanya Sharma, Devinder Kumar Bhutto, Ashish Sharma, Hoshiyar Singh, and KL Thakur, demanded transparency from Sukhu regarding his official visits to Chandigarh. They raised concerns about his choice to stay at a five-star hotel instead of his designated accommodation at Himachal Bhawan, as well as the dismissal of security personnel from the hotel.
Accusing the Chief Minister of favoritism, the MLAs claimed that Sukhu prioritizes his friends over other elected representatives, leading to feelings of suffocation and humiliation within the government. They also alluded to the alleged activities of Sukhu's "cabinet rank friends" and questioned their influence and actions within the government.
The statement concluded by asserting that the people of Himachal Pradesh are aware of the alleged misconduct within the government and urged Sukhu to address these concerns and provide clarity on his actions. The accusations leveled by the rebel MLAs add a new layer of complexity to the political landscape of the state, indicating potential rifts within the ruling party.
SC to Hear Plea of 6 Disqualified MLAs Against Their Disqualification on Tues
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Tuesday a plea by six rebel Congress MLAs, who had cross-voted in the recent Rajya Sabha polls in Himachal Pradesh, against their disqualification. Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania had disqualified the six on the Congress' plea for “defying” the party whip that required them to be present in the House and vote for the budget.
A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna, Dipankar Datta and Prashant Kumar Mishra will hear on March 12 the plea against the February 29 decision of the Speaker. The rebel lawmakers in their plea before the top court have made Pathania as well as state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harsh Vardhan Chauhan a party.
Cong Announces 6-Member Coordination Panel
In a significant move aimed at fortifying the party-led government in Himachal Pradesh amidst recent tumultuous events, the Congress has unveiled a six-member Coordination Committee.
Comprising Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, state president Pratibha Singh, and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, the committee also includes Health Minister Dhaniram Shandil, along with former ministers — Ram Lal Thakur and Kaul Singh Thakur. With a diverse mix of experienced politicians and key figures within the party, the committee is poised to play a pivotal role in fostering cohesion and collaboration between the government and the state unit of the Congress.
The genesis of the Coordination Committee lies in the recent crisis triggered by the Rajya Sabha polls. The failure to secure the election of Abhishek Singhvi as a Rajya Sabha MP, coupled with cross-voting by six disgruntled MLAs who were subsequently disqualified, had thrown the government into disarray. This prompted the central leadership to dispatch observers to Himachal Pradesh to assess the situation and recommend remedial measures.
During interactions with MLAs, concerns emerged regarding Chief Minister Sukhu’s management style, particularly from legislators aligned with Pratibha and Vikramaditya Singh. In response to these grievances, the observers proposed the establishment of a committee dedicated to enhancing coordination between the government and the party.
While Sukhu, Pratibha, and Agnihotri were appointed as committee members by the observers, the remaining three members were designated by the central leadership. Among these appointees, Dhaniram Shandil brings his wealth of experience as a former Lok Sabha MP to the committee. Similarly, Ram Lal Thakur and Kaul Singh Thakur, both former Lok Sabha MPs and seasoned politicians, are expected to contribute significantly to the committee's objectives.
Not afraid of political challenges: Sukhu
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday expressed confidence in facing political challenges, stating that the Congress party remains undaunted.
“We are not afraid of political challenges…We will face every challenge with determination and will realize the vision of self-reliant Himachal by the year 2032,” he said during his tour of Solan assembly constituency while addressing a huge public gathering at the old bus stand, Solan.
Emphasizing the government's commitment to the welfare and bright future of the people of the hill state, Sukhu highlighted various developmental schemes and policies aimed at realizing the vision of a self-reliant Himachal by 2032.