Congress Lost Rajya Sabha Polls in Himachal Despite Having Majority, Here's How BJP Candidate Won

A high-level drama unfolded in the politics of Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday following the voting for the Rajya Sabha election for the lone seat in the state where Congress candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi lost to BJP’s nominee Harsh Mahajan.

Even before the results were announced, former CM and BJP leader Jai Ram Thakur claimed Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s government has lost the majority in the assembly.

After Rajya Sabha Setback In Himachal, Trouble Mounts For CM Sukhu As 6 Cong Rebels Want Him Gone

The Congress had issued a whip to its MLAs to vote for Singhvi following which the BJP had accused the ruling party of issuing whip to their members to put pressure on them and maintained that the MLAs have been elected democratically and have the right to vote as per their wish.

The BJP candidate has sent a complaint to the chief election commissioner drawing his attention to the three-line whip issued by the Congress to vote for the party candidate. In his complaint, Mahajan said that such a whip is not only unethical but also against the conducting of elections to the Rajya Sabha as it will affect the decision making ability of the MLAs.

How BJP Candidate Won?

The Congress has a clear majority with 40 out of the 68 MLAs and the support of three independent MLAs. Even though the BJP, with 25 MLAs, was far behind in the number game, it has forced a contest by fielding Mahajan against Singhvi.

CM Sukhu said 6 Congress MLAs and 3 Independent MLAs voted for the BJP candidate. “Nine cross-votings took place, three of them were Independent MLAs but six others sold their honesty…and voted against him (Abhishek Singhvi)…,” he said.

Sukhu alleged the BJP has kidnapped Congress MLAs.

Singhvi said both candidates got 34 votes each and the result was decided by “Draw of Lots”.

How Events Unfolded?

• BJP candidate Mahajan said that the body language of the Congress leaders was not corroborating their claims that all 40 party MLAs would vote for party candidate Singhvi.
• After casting his vote, Sukhu said the MLAs have voted as per the ideology of the party. “We have 40 MLAs in the state assembly, and unless MLAs are bought off, we will get all the votes,” he said.
• Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur claimed that the chief minister’s helicopter was sent to bring Congress MLA Babloo, which is violation of model code of conduct, and demanded that his vote should not be counted.
• Jai Ram Thakur claimed that the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government has lost the majority and demanded his resignation. “We will discuss the budget on Wednesday and then we will see the situation there. But I can see that the government has lost the majority,” he said.
• Sukhu said around six MLAs from his party had gone incommunicado. He said the BJP had kidnapped Congress MLAs.
• Jai Ram Thakur rubbished Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s claims of his party kidnapping Congress MLAs and said nobody can buy MLAs.
• Several Himachal Pradesh legislators, mostly from Congress and independent ones, have reached the PWD Rest House in Haryana’s Panchkula, Sector 1, sources said.
• Sources said the BJP might bring a no-confidence motion against the Sukhu-led Congress government in the state if its candidate Mahajan wins the election.
• Sukhu said opposition leaders are threatening the polling officers again and again is not right for democracy. “I urge the Himachal BJP unit’s leaders – have patience, don’t put pressure on people,” he said.
• Sukhu alleged that the CRPF and Haryana Police convoy have taken away 5-6 MLAs. “I can say that the people who have gone away are being contacted by their families, I urge them to contact their families…There is no need to worry…,” he said.

(With inputs from PTI, ANI)