A first in Himachal politics: 3 Independent MLAs stage protest in Assembly for acceptance of resignations
- Himachal CM’s wife may get ministry if Congress follows this tradition for cabinet expansion - November 5, 2024
- Himachal High Court maintains stay on termination of 900 horticulture project employees - November 5, 2024
- Himachal weather: After month of drought-like conditions, rain likely on this day - November 5, 2024
TNR Desk
In what would probably be for the first time in the history of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, a protest is being staged by three Independent legislators for the acceptance of their resignations from the Assembly.
Independent MLAs Hoshyar Singh (Dehra), Ashish Sharma (Hamirpur) and KL Thakur (Nalagarh) started the protest on Saturday (March 30, 2024) outside Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania’s chamber to press upon him to accept their resignations.
Joined BJP on March 23
The trio had joined the BJP on March 23 after submitting their resignations and now have been looking to get elected on the saffron party’s ticket.
The Speaker, however, has put all the three on notice, seeking to know from them within 10 days whether their resignations were under any pressure of allurement of the BJP. The trio have said that their resignations were voluntary and duly submitted before the Speaker and the Assembly Secretary. They vehemently denied any external pressure influencing their decision.
Their abrupt submission of resignation, preceded by arrival in helicopter from Delhi, caught everyone’s attention. However, their resignations are yet to be accepted, prompting inquiries from Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi and Education Minister Rohit Thakur regarding the circumstances leading to their decision.
Show-cause notice by Speaker
Speaker Pathania has issued notices to the three MLAs in response to the ministers’ complaints, demanding an explanation by April 10. The failure to accept their resignations would delay Assembly byelections to their seats.
The three MLAs as well as six disqualified Congress rebel legislators had voted in favour of BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan in the recent Rajya Sabha election, leading to ruling Congress nominee Abhishek Manu Singhvi’s defeat.
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, while acknowledging the matter’s gravity, clarified his limited role, asserting that instructions regarding resignation acceptance fell within the Speaker’s purview. He cited the MLAs’ procedural compliance, noting that their resignations were first submitted to the Assembly Secretary before being personally handed to the Speaker.
