In Memories 2024: Political Crisis Hits Himachal as Six MLAs Lose Membership for the First Time
Unprecedented Political Turmoil and Cross-Voting Shake the Sukhu Government
Shimla, December 29: The year 2024 marked a significant chapter in Himachal Pradesh’s political landscape, as the state experienced its first-ever disqualification of six MLAs. This development sent shockwaves through the Congress-led Sukhu government, shaking its very foundation. The political upheaval that followed the Rajya Sabha elections became a talking point across the nation, with cross-voting from Congress MLAs resulting in a major crisis for the ruling party.
The political chaos began during the Rajya Sabha elections in February when BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan emerged victorious due to the cross-voting of six Congress MLAs and three independents. This led to a series of events that escalated the crisis. Six Congress MLAs were disqualified for defying a party whip during the passing of the Finance Bill. Additionally, three independent MLAs resigned, and their resignations were accepted by the Assembly Speaker.
At the time, there were fears that the Congress government might fall if the Finance Bill was not passed, but after a tense standoff with the Speaker, nine BJP MLAs were suspended from the assembly, allowing the government to push through the budget. However, the turmoil didn’t end there. The resignation of three independents and the disqualification of six Congress MLAs further destabilized the situation.
In the subsequent by-elections, Congress managed to win six out of the nine seats, while BJP claimed three. The upheaval also saw several Congress leaders resign or switch sides. Former Congress Minister Sudhir Sharma, along with MLAs Rajinder Rana, Ravi Thakur, Inderdutt Lakhanpal, Chaitanya Sharma, and Davinder Kumar Bhutto, cross-voted for the BJP candidate during the Rajya Sabha elections. As a result, they had to forfeit their MLA positions and sit out of the by-elections. Independent MLAs Hoshyar Singh and KL Thakur also lost their seats in the political fallout.
Diary Times is now on Whatsapp Channels. Click here to join
Among the key developments was the election of Kamlesh Thakur, wife of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who became the MLA from Dehra. This complex web of political maneuvers, defections, and resignations highlighted the volatile political environment in Himachal Pradesh, with Congress managing to retain power despite facing a serious crisis.
Continuing the achievement of the journey of effectiveness and credibility of more than 10 years in the career of journalism, as a woman journalist, I am Serving as the founder, promoter and editor of DiaryTimes with the trust and support of all. My credible coverage may not have given a big shape to the numbers, but my journey presents articles that make you aware of the exact and meaningful situations of Himachal’s politics, ground issues related to the public, business, tourism and the difficult geographical conditions of the state and financial awareness. DiaryTimes, full of the experience of my precise editorial expertise, is awakening the flame of credible journalism among all of you, so that the eternal flame of meaningful change can be lit in the life of the people of the state and the atrocities being committed against the people can be brought to the fore, I am motivated for that. If even a small change comes with the power of my journalism and the whole world becomes a witness to that issues, then I will consider myself fortunate.
