Trouble looms for Congress Govt in Himachal Pradesh, D K Shivakumar and Hooda assigned for the firefight

If Rajya Sabha election was a wake up alarm, Congress high command has now assigned Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to firefight and save the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh from toppling after at least six of their MLAs cross voted to help BJP stun everyone with the lone Rajya Sabha seat victory in the state on Tuesday. BJP’s Harsh Mahajan won over Congress’ Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, despite lacking numbers. BJP has 25 MLAs in the 68 member assembly while Congress has 40 MLAs and support of three Independents. Soon after the Rajya Sabha victory, BJP MLAs have demanded for a no-confidence motion against the incumbent Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

Around 26 Congress MLAs are upset with Sukhu, what essentially led to cross-voting, claim sources. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has assigned senior leaders Bhupinder Singh Hooda and D.K. Shivakumar to go and meet with the disgruntled MLAs in Himachal, pacify them. Shivakumar is expected to reach Shimla on Wednesday. 

The six Congress MLAs who reportedly had cross-voted, have shifted out of Shimla and moved to Haryana on Tuesday night. They are reportedly in touch with BHP, hinting at a switch which may lead to a political crisis in the state. BJP MLAs on the other hand, led by leader of opposition Jai Ram Thakur are planning to meet with the State Governor ahead of the Assembly Session, claim sources.