Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday refuted media reports suggesting that he had tendered his resignation amid a crisis within the Congress government. Speaking to reporters, he clarified, “Neither has anyone asked for my resignation, nor have I submitted it to anyone.”
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), asserting, “We will prove the assembly majority. We will win; the people of Himachal will win.” This statement comes against the backdrop of an existential crisis for the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, exacerbated by six of its MLAs allegedly being in touch with the BJP. The situation worsened with Vikramaditya Singh’s resignation from the state cabinet and his discussions with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
During a tumultuous session, the Vidhan Sabha Speaker suspended 15 BJP MLAs for misconduct and adjourned the assembly. Despite these challenges, Sukhu expressed confidence and determination, stating, “I am not someone who gets scared, and I assure you that Congress will win when the budget is presented. The budget will be passed today. The BJP is spreading rumors of my resignation. The Congress is united.”
Sukhu also claimed to be in contact with some of the six MLAs who allegedly cross-voted in a Rajya Sabha election. He accused the BJP of attempting to create rifts within the Congress and coerce its MLAs to defect.
In response to the unfolding political drama, Congress leaders Bhupinder Singh Hooda and DK Shivakumar were dispatched to Shimla to consolidate party support. High-level discussions about the situation involved Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, former chief Rahul Gandhi, and General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar condemned the BJP’s tactics, labeling them as harmful to democracy. He assured on X, “On the directions of the Congress High Command, I am heading to Himachal Pradesh. There’s no need for speculation; I am confident that Congress legislators will remain faithful to the party and respect the voters’ mandate. The BJP’s extreme measures to seize power are indeed a threat to democracy.”
