Hold On! Crisis In Himachal Is Not Over Yet

The political theatre in Himachal Pradesh has taken a dramatic turn, adding new layers to an already complex narrative.

In a recent development, six Congress MLAs ventured to Panchkula, Haryana, just before the critical budget vote in the state legislature.

In response, the Congress-led government suspended 15 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs from the house under contentious circumstances and successfully passed the budget. Those suspended included former chief minister and now leader of party (LOP) of the opposition Jairam Thakur.

However, the subsequent disqualification of the six Congress MLAs by the Speaker has necessitated re-elections in their constituencies, further complicating the political landscape as these elections will most definitely happen alongside the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. 

Pratibha and Vikramaditya’s Game of Shadows Continues?

Adding to the drama is the news of another Congress minister's mysterious absence, who was later discovered in Panchkula among the disqualified MLAs.

This development contradicts earlier assertions by Congress that their house was in order, suggesting a more turbulent reality.

Adding to the emotional complexity of the situation is Vikramaditya Singh, Pratibha Singh's son and a minister in the Himachal cabinet, who retracted his resignation after initially stepping down in protest. His emotional plea for recognition of his father, the late Virbhadra Singh, a revered Congress leader and former Himachal CM, highlights the ongoing struggle for respect and acknowledgment within the party.

When asked about his son’s whereabouts, his mother Pratibha stated that Vikramaditya is out of Himachal for personal work for a few days, leading to further speculation on the Congress party's internal dynamics.

Another issue raised was the absence of a statue of Virbhadra Singh in Shimla. Pratibha Singh highlighted that this was a long-standing demand that transcended party lines across the state. 

Pratibha Singh's recent statements reflect a candid acknowledgment of the challenges facing the Congress. Admitting the BJP's superior organisation and outreach, she called for a stronger and more cohesive party structure to face the upcoming elections. Her support for the rebel MLAs and criticism of the chief minister's inaction over commemorating Virbhadra Singh with a statue underscore the internal strife and the need for reconciliation within the Congress. 

The current state of affairs leaves Congress with 34 MLAs after the disqualifications, while the BJP, along with three independents, holds 28 seats.

The potential for the BJP to equalise or even surpass Congress in the assembly is real, especially if it secures victories in the re-elections for the disqualified seats. 

The Rajinder Rana Factor Surfaces Back

Pratibha Singh has also criticised the hasty disqualification of the MLAs, warning of its potential impact on the party's prospects in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

She mentioned how Rajinder Rana, the now disqualified MLA of Sujanpur, wanted to be accommodated in the government but got nothing even after waiting for a year. Rana's role in the BJP's former CM Prem Kumar Dhumal's defeat in the 2017 assembly elections added a bitter note to the BJP's victory at that time.

It must also be pointed out that Rajinder Rana was credited by observers for helping build momentum for the Congress in lower Himachal in the 2022 elections. That region has long been considered as a stronghold of the BJP.

Losses here had come as quite a shock for the BJP, as not only did the Hamirpur switch entirely to the Congress, the party also lost seats across Kangra.

Hence, Rana's desire for a larger role was not surprising. However, for Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu who represents Nadaun in the Hamirpur segment, this would mean giving up his authority.

Priyanka Vadra Unable to Douse Fires

Soon after the government in Himachal fell into crisis, conventional media began circulating stories quoting sources about Priyanka Vadra's adept handling of the situation. These were intended to portray her as an alternative within the party to Rahul Gandhi's struggling leadership.

However, the subsequent disappearance of the minister and the legal challenge by the suspended Congress MLAs have contradicted these claims. Instead of bridging gaps, her intervention appears to have widened fault lines.

The ongoing events in Himachal Pradesh not only reveal the current political strategies and maneuvers but also illuminate deeper issues of loyalty, respect, and power dynamics within the state's political arena. As the situation continues to evolve, the implications for both the Congress and BJP, as well as the broader political environment in Himachal Pradesh, remain uncertain.