Himachal Pradesh political crisis | Six Congress MLAs, who cross-voted in BJP’s favour, disqualified

Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker disqualifies six Congress MLAs for defying party whip on Financial Bill vote.

Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker on February 29 disqualified six Congress MLAs who defied the party whip to vote in favour of the government on Financial Bill.

They seize to be members of the Himachal Pradesh State Assembly with immediate effect. Speaker Kuldeep Pathania said these MLAs have defied the whip issued by the party during the Budget Session.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Congress scrambled to save its government in Himachal Pradesh, amid dramatic developments that included the suspension of 15 BJP MLAs by the Speaker and a resignation offer by high-profile minister Vikramaditya Singh.

The turbulence in Himachal was triggered by Tuesday’s cross-voting by six Congress MLAs in the Rajya Sabha election for the lone seat from Himachal Pradesh.

The party has now sought the disqualification of these MLAs from the Assembly. The matter was heard by Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania who has reserved his order.

The suspended BJP MLAs, who include the Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, initially refused to leave the House — in an apparent bid to stall the Assembly from passing the Sukhu Government’s Budget through voice vote.

(With PTI inputs)