Congress Govt In Himachal Plunges In Another Crisis, Cabinet Minister Vikramaditya Singh Quits

Shimla, February 28 (TNA) The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh plunged into crisis on Wednesday as a cabinet minister Vikramaditya Singh resigned from his position, a day after Congress’ debacle in the Rajya Sabha elections. “All I would like to say is that under the current circumstances, it is not correct for me to continue as a part of the government. But I will support the government to pass the Budget,” Singh said. He is the son of late Veer Bhadra Singh, many-time chief minister of the hill state.

Amid the political crisis, BJP sat on a dharma outside the Assembly after 15 of its MLAs were suspended by the Congress government and the House was adjourned. Those suspended are ex-CM Jai Ram Thakur, Vipin Singh Parmar, Randheer Sharma, Lokender Kumar, Vinod Kumar, Hans Raj, Janak Raj, Balbir Verma, Trilok Jamwal, Surender Shori, Deep Raj, Puran Thakur, Inder Singh Gandhi, Dileep Thakur and Inder Singh Gandhi.

They were suspended by the Assembly Speaker for allegedly shouting slogans and misconduct in the Chamber of the Speaker. Rebel legislators while speaking to media, have alleged that they have only received humiliation ever since the formation of Congress government in Himachal Pradesh. “The person who defeated Prem Kumar Dhumal (BJP heavyweight and former CM) was only insulted. Now, the ball is in the court of the high command. If the CM is changed, then further discussion can take place.”

“All doors open for us. The decision has to be taken by the Congress High Command. We do not accept this chief minister (Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu). Many more people are in contact with us. No fear of losing membership. We are ready to go to the elections again,” an MLA has been quoted as saying.