'No operation Lotus, Sukhu's govt here to stay': Congress' Himachal Pradesh observers

Congress leader DK Shivakumar, one of the party's five observers sent to Himachal, categorically brushed aside rumours of Sukhwinder Sukhu's government falling in the state, a day after six of its MLAs were suspended for cross-voting during Rajya Sabha elections.

In a press meet on February 29, Shivakumar, who appeared with CM Sukku, Congress leader Pratibha Singh, and other members, said that all issues have been sorted out and exuded confidence in the Congress government completing its five-year term in Himachal Pradesh.

"Our CM accepted that some failure has happened. But it will not continue further. We have spoken to all the MLAs personally. We have spoken to the PCC president, CM. One round of discussion will happen later. So all of them have sorted out all their differences. They'll work together... We are forming a coordination committee between the party and the government with five to six members....They will all work together to save the party and save the government," Shivakumar said.

Earlier, Pratibha Singh, wife of former Himachal CM Virbhadra Singh, said it was natural for MLAs to be upset, seemingly backing the six rebel MLAs who had cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha elections.

"Definitely, why not? When it has been more than a year and you take no cognizance or listen to them, it is natural for them to be upset. Had you sat them down, talked to them, and found out a solution, this situation would not have occurred," she said.

Following the disqualification of the rebel legislators, the effective strength of the House has reduced from 68 to 62 while the number of Congress MLAs has shrunk from 40 to 34.

It is for the first time in the history of Himachal Pradesh that any MLA has been disqualified under the anti-defection law aimed at checking defections.

The disqualified MLAs are Rajinder Rana, Sudhir Sharma, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Devinder Kumar Bhutoo, Ravi Thakur and Chetanya Sharma.

Also read | Himachal Pradesh speaker disqualifies 6 rebel Congress MLAs