Himachal Pradesh: Trouble Mounts For Congress Government After Party's Loss In Rajya Sabha Polls As BJP Seeks Trust Vote

A day after BJP managed to defeat Congress in the Rajya Sabha election for the lone seat in Himachal Pradesh, the party leaders on Wednesday (28 February) met the state's Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and sought a test of strength for the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government in the state Assembly.

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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"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.

On Tuesday (27 February), Thakur, who was also the Himachal Pradesh chief minister until 2022 when the BJP lost to the Congress, demanded a division of votes for passing the state Budget instead of a voice vote.

If allowed, the division of votes would establish the actual support of each party.

A failure by the Congress to pass the budget would prove a lack of majority support in the legislature.

The Congress has 40 MLAs in the Assembly and its candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi was expected to easily win the Rajya Sabha seat from Himachal.

However, during Tuesday's election, six Congress MLAs and three independent MLAs, who were expected to support the government, instead voted for the BJP candidate.

Also Read: BJP Wins Himachal Pradesh Rajya Sabha Elections, Thakur Demands CM Sukhu's Resignation After Congress MLAs Cross-Voted