After Rajya Sabha Poll Setback, More Trouble For Congress In Himachal As Minister Vikramaditya Singh Resigns

The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh is set for more trouble as state minister Vikramaditya Singh has resigned from his post.

This comes a day after BJP managed to defeat Congress in the Rajya Sabha election for the lone seat in Himachal Pradesh.

BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan's surprising victory in the Rajya Sabha seat election was a result of cross-voting by the Congress MLAs, and a draw of lots favouring the party.

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Addressing a press conference after resigning as minister, Vikramaditya Singh alleged that the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-government “humiliated its own MLAs several times”.

Vikramaditya is the son of former chief minister Virbhadra Singh and Congress MP Pratibha Singh.

Saying that the “humiliation won’t be tolerated,” Vikramaditya added, “Now the party high command has to decide where Congress is headed next in Himachal”.

He said he is compelled to speak on the functioning of the government as no post was important to him, but it was the relationship with the people that mattered most to him.

The Congress leader said the legislators had been sidelined, and added that there was fiscal mismanagement and all these issues were raised from time to time with the high command in Delhi.

He said this situation had arisen as the high command, too, failed to take note of it and take corrective action, adding “I am a disciplined member of the party, so I know where to draw the line."

Singh said he had given due respect to CM Sukhu and in the last one year as minister he had tried to deliver to the best of his ability.

“We tried to deliver despite all constraints, but there were attempts from some quarters to humiliate and undermine my authority as a minister," he said.

He said he was deliberately humiliated and showcause notices were issued to officials for foundation stones.

“I will not succumb to any pressure or tactics. I am son of Virbhadra Singh, who did politics on his own terms with due respect to the high command. It is my responsibility to carry forward that legacy," he said, Tribune India reported.

Earlier in the day, the BJP leaders in the state met Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and sought a test of strength for the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government in the state Assembly.

"We have pulled off a victory when our chances seemed very low. BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan won the Rajya Sabha elections. Currently, the Congress government has lost the moral right to stay in power," Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur said after meeting the Governor, NDTV reported.

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