Will run government for 5 years: Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

Security personnel deployed to maintain law and order after Congress and BJP workers gathered outside the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly. Pic/PTI

Amid a political crisis in Himachal Pradesh after the defeat of the Congress candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday asserted that they will run the government for five years. "Neither the high command has asked me nor anyone else for resignation and there is no such thing," Sukhu told PTI Videos while replying to a question. He said, "The kind of work done by the state BJP leaders. They did not trust their own people. CRPF was deployed. Haryana police were deployed. A helicopter was used."

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Wednesday said he has not resigned as the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh even as his government risks losing majority after some Congress MLAs cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha polls.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu speaks to the media. Pic/PTI

"I am a fighter. I hail from a humble family. We will win this battle and also prove a majority in the Vidhan Sabha," he told mediapersons here.

Six Congress MLAs voted in favour of the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday with sources claiming they are "disappointed" with the working style of Chief Minister Sukhu.

Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur with BJP MLAs during a visit to Raj Bhavan on Wednesday. Pic/PTI

The Congress government in the state faces an existential crisis after the six MLAs cross-voted.

"We are in touch with some of the MLAs who cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha polls," Sukhu said, adding his government would last its full five-year term.

CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

Speaker suspends 15 BJP MLAs

Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania on Wednesday suspended 15 BJP MLAs, including Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, and adjourned the House. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan moved the motion, seeking the suspension of the BJP members for allegedly disrespecting the speaker and misbehaving with him. To ensure smooth running of the House, these MLAs should be suspended, Chauhan said as the resolution was passed by a voice vote. BJP members, however, refused to leave, following which, the speaker adjourned the House till 12 pm amid uproarious scenes.

‘BJP wants to crush people's mandate'

Amid a political crisis in the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government, party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday alleged that the BJP wants to "crush" people's mandate by misusing money power and central agencies.
She also alleged that the BJP wants to push the state towards a "political disaster".

‘Won't hesitate to take tough steps'

Congress party on Wednesday said it was weighing all options and will not hesitate to take tough steps to respect the people's mandate given to them. Six Congress MLAs voted in favour of the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday with sources claiming they are "disappointed" with the working style of CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

Cong can't keep its flock together: Shah

Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday that disintegration is afflicting the Congress and the opposition bloc INDIA as they are unable to keep their flock together.

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