Congress loses Himachal Rajya Sabha seat to BJP: What went wrong, what’s next?

Despite not having numerical strength, BJP won the Shimla seat in the Rajya Sabha elections. The saffron party won after cross voting and a draw after the contest was tied at 34-34 votes.

Follow live updates of Rajya Sabha Election Result 2024

What went wrong for Congress?

BJP’s victory in Himachal Pradesh made it clear that cross voting had taken place in the Rajya Sabha elections for this seat. Congress candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi got only 34 votes, while the party had the support of 43 MLAs – 40 Congress and three independent MLAs – in the 68-member state assembly. If all 43 MLAs had voted in favor of Congress, Singhvi would have won the election.

But Congress was surprised.

Despite having the numbers to win the Rajya Sabha seat in the state, the Congress accepted defeat and alleged that nine MLAs – six from the Congress and three independent MLAs – cross-voted in favor of the BJP. Now, if nine Congress MLAs voted for BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan, the votes for both the candidates became 34-34, leading to a tie.

Mahajan won in a unique practice, the draw of a lottery, which is rarely required as a tie-breaker. Under the rules, the ‘draw’ system of lots is used to break a tie. In a direct election, it would be like tossing a coin.

Also read: Rajya Sabha elections and ‘cross voting’: What kept UP, Himachal and Karnataka in the lead?

Next floor test for Congress government?

There is speculation that the BJP will move a no-confidence motion against the Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government in the state. Furthermore, Sukhu alleged that “five to six” Congress and independent MLAs were “abducted” by the Central Reserve Police Force and Haryana Police.

Asked whether the Himachal Pradesh BJP would demand a floor test, opposition leader Jairam Thakur said, “The budget will be presented tomorrow. We will discuss the budget tomorrow and then we will see the situation there. But I can see that The government has lost its majority.”

Also read: Rajya Sabha elections: RLD MLAs announce alliance with BJP, Jayant Choudhary gives all 9 votes to NDA

Thakur too demanded Himachal Chief Minister resigns over his ‘moral defeat’

Amidst the discussion of floor test, Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said that he does not have any ‘course of action’ right now. He accused the cross-voting MLAs of ‘selling their integrity’.

sukhu Said, “…When the Assembly session starts we will see…those who have gone (cross-voting) are being asked by their families why they did so. So, if families are asking them, maybe some of them will think of ‘ghar wapsi’.

How is the numerical strength of Congress in Himachal Pradesh Assembly?

There are 68 members in the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly. Any political party needs the support of 35 MLAs to prove majority in the Assembly. Sukhu’s government needs the support of 34 MLAs to remain in power.

Now, after cross-voting by six MLAs, the Congress’ strength has reduced from 40 to 34 MLAs – one short of the exact number needed to win the floor test or no-confidence motion.

On the other hand, BJP had 25 MLAs in Himachal Assembly. With the support of three independent MLAs (who were earlier with the Congress) and six Congress MLAs, the party will have a total of 34 MLAs.

Here too there will be equality between Congress and BJP and no one will have majority.

Milestone alert!
Livemint tops charts as fastest growing news website in the world Click here to find out more.

Unlock a world of benefits! From informative newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and personalized newsfeeds – it’s all here, just a click away! log in now!

Published: 27 February 2024, 10:21 PM IST