Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (Photo: Twitter @SukhuSukhvinder)
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday said it has been proven that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was engaged in horse-trading during Rajya Sabha polls after the saffron party announced primary tickets for six rebel ex-Congress MLAs.
“This proves that the BJP engaged in horse trading during the Rajya Sabha polls. The allotment of tickets to former Congress MLAs indicates what they were promised in return for their votes for the BJP… Himachal is the land of gods and goddesses… The people of the state will teach them a lesson on June 1,” said Sukhu.
Who are the six rebel Congress MLAs?
Six Congress MLAs, who had voted for BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan in the February 28 Rajya Sabha elections, were disqualified by the party a day later. Three independent MLAs had also voted for the BJP, giving it the only Rajya Sabha seat in the hill state.
The disqualified rebel MLAs are Sudhir Sharma, Ravi Thakur, Rajinder Rana, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Chetanya Sharma and Devinder Kumar Bhutto.
Almost a month later, all nine of them participated in the saffron festival on Saturday. Earlier today, the BJP named all six former Congress leaders as candidates for the upcoming by-elections to the respective seats.
Himachal by-polls on June 1
The by-elections will take place on June 1, the same day Himachal goes to the Lok Sabha elections. The results will be announced on June 4.
According to the BJP’s announcement, Rajinder Rana will contest from Sujanpur seat, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal – Barsar, Ravi Thakur – Lahaul and Spiti, Chaitanya Sharma – Gagret, Devinder Kumar Bhutto – Kutlehar and Sudhir Sharma – Dharamshala.
Notably, after joining the BJP, Rana had hinted that more Congress legislators might join the upcoming saffron party. “More lawmakers feel stifled in Congress and are in contact with us. They would also show courage to quit Congress in the coming days,” Rana said.
First print: March 26, 2024 | 5:47 PM IST