Himachal budget session begins tomorrow; all eyes on BJP as it may skip all-party meeting today

The Himachal Pradesh Assembly’s budget session is set to commence on Monday (March 10, 2025), and ahead of it, Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania has called for an all-party meeting on Sunday.
However, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) might once again choose to skip the meeting.

Scheduled to begin at 1 pm, the meeting’s attendance from the opposition remains uncertain as the BJP legislative party will decide on Sunday morning whether to participate or not.

BJP has boycotted all-party meetings in past

So far, the party has not revealed its stance. BJP MLAs have previously boycotted all-party meetings during past assembly sessions.

From the ruling Congress, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan and Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania will attend the all-party meeting. From the opposition camp, the invite has been sent to Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur and BJP Chief Whip Sukhram Chaudhary.

Speaker Pathania has urged both the ruling party and opposition members to raise only public welfare issues in the House.

He emphasised the need for meaningful discussions within the framework of parliamentary rules while upholding the dignity and traditions of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly.

BJP MLAs plan meeting at a private hotel

Ahead of the budget session, BJP legislators met at a private hotel in Shimla on Sunday evening to strategise under the leadership of Jai Ram.

While the opposition is expected to remain composed during the Governor’s address on Monday, it may resort to disruptions during the question hour and zero hour on Tuesday.

The BJP’s meeting will primarily focus on the key issues it plans to target the government with during the session.

Congress’ legislative party meeting on Monday

The Congress legislative party will convene on Monday morning before the session begins.
With the budget session slated to start at 2 pm, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu will chair a meeting to formulate the ruling party’s strategy.

Sunil Chadha