2 ‘dissatisfied’ Congress MLAs ‘in touch’ with BJP
The Newz Radar
Dharamshala: The tiny state of Himachal Pradesh may soon witness a Maharashtra-like political drama as two sidelined Congress legislators, allegedly dissatisfied with the functioning of their own government, are said to be in touch with the BJP for a power shift.
The appointing Dr Rajiv Bindal, known for aggressive politics, as the state BJP president recently, is being seen as a step in this direction. Dr Bindal had to quit the post in May 2020, merely four months after assuming charge, as his name allegedly surfaced in a health department scam during peak Covid.
In neighbouring Punjab too, the BJP on Tuesday (July 5, 2023) appointed former Congress MP Sunil Jakhar as its state unit chief. The BJP is learnt to be planning to bring prominent Congress leaders into its fold in Himachal too.
Sources said that within Congress bastions, a sense of dissatisfaction is growing among senior leaders who find themselves on the fringes. In recent times, two Congress MLAs, in particular, have established contact with senior BJP officials, causing ripples within the ruling Congress. These MLAs have been making frequent trips to Delhi, adopting a wait-and-watch strategy. If the internal political crisis within the Congress remains unaddressed, Himachal might witness a political drama like the one being seen currently in Maharashtra.
Reliable sources suggest that in the coming months or after the Lok Sabha elections, Himachal could experience the unfolding of “Operation Lotus”. Despite their seniority, some Congress MLAs have felt marginalised within the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government.
The recent trend of promoting junior MLAs to ministerial positions instead of experienced ones has been perceived as humiliation. Faced with such circumstances, these MLAs view the BJP as the most viable option to safeguard and advance their political interests and careers.
As negotiations continue behind closed doors in Delhi, it is rumoured that not only these two MLAs, but several other Congress legislators who have a close association with the saffron party were also in touch with the BJP. Interestingly, a young MLA who is not from the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu camp has been openly supporting issues raised by the BJP.
Political analysts opined that if the Congress high command fails to address the simmering discontent within the ranks of the Himachal unit without any further delay then a political spectacle similar to that witnessed in Maharashtra may unfold in Himachal.
Himachal BJP general secretary Trilok Kapoor said that on the lines of Maharashtra, where
NCP leaders joined the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP government, senior Congress leaders are waiting to join BJP in Himachal Pradesh. After the Lok Sabha elections a BJP Chief Minister would be running the state, Kapoor claimed.
However, Congress spokesperson and Himachal CM’s media advisor Naresh Chauhan said that the Congress government would complete its 5-year term in the state. Divisive politics like in Maharashtra will not work in Himachal and BJP should stop dreaming about a change in the seat of power through Maharashtra-like tactics.
