Ever since the Rajya Sabha elections, Congress in Himachal Pradesh has been embroiled in turbulence. Minister Vikramaditya Singh has been explicitly told that Chief Minister Sukhu would remain in his post until the Lok Sabha elections. Meanwhile, efforts to appease dissident legislators appear non-existent. During this crisis, a report submitted to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge by the observers sent to resolve the situation has surfaced.
A confidential three-page report inspected by Aaj Tak/India Today indicates not only an inability to anticipate the crisis for the Himachal Pradesh CM but also holds State President Pratibha Singh responsible. The report comprises eight points, each extensively explaining every angle of the Himachal crisis to the party leadership.
The observers note the following in their report-
1.
CM's Role: The report criticizes CM Sukhu for his ignorance about the cross-voting during the Rajya Sabha elections. How could the CM declare unawareness on the matter? His inability to keep his faction unified, and doubts regarding his capability to control future rebellions, is also highlighted.
2.
Vikramaditya's Role: After their meetings, the panel of observers has found Vikramaditya's behavior equal to breaking party discipline. His actions raise multiple concerns about his reliability moving forward.
3.
Rebel Legislators' Roles: It's said that BJP offered a substantial sum to Congress's rebel legislators who partook in cross-voting during the Rajya Sabha elections, continuously attempting to destabilize the Congress government.
4.
Observers have recommended swift reforms to ensure government stability, including offering corporate and other posts to nearly 12 dissatisfied legislators before the Model Code of Conduct takes effect.
5.
The panel has harshly criticized State President Pratibha Singh and proposed she contest Lok Sabha elections, allowing someone else to assume the role of state president.
6.
Status Quo for CM Position: According to the report, BJP tries to destabilize Congress government so that state assembly and Lok Sabha elections coincide. Changing the Chief Minister before the Lok Sabha elections is, therefore, unlikely in this scenario.
7.
Observers suggest announcing a coordination committee in the coming days, which would include the CM, Deputy CM, State President, and two leaders proposed by the Congress President.
8.
In their report to the party leadership, observers have implied that as rebel legislators hold divergent views, they could be fragmented – meaning they might be persuaded back into the government fold.
What unfolded in Himachal Pradesh?
Let's recall that a crisis struck the Himachal Pradesh government during the Rajya Sabha elections. Congress faced a harsh defeat on one seat, where the BJP prevailed despite Congress's majority. The betrayal by six Congress legislators, switching allegiance right before the election, led to the BJP's victory and Congress's loss, precipitating a cloud of uncertainty over the Sukhu administration. Congress has since been in damage control, continually asserting that Sukhu's government faces no peril.
