Himachal assembly rocked by resignations ahead of 2024 polls
In a fresh jolt to the ruling Congress in Himachal Pradesh, three Independent MLAs resigned from the state assembly on Friday in Shimla.
Prakash Rana (Independent MLA, Jogindernagar), Hoshiyar Singh (Independent MLA, Dehra) and KL Thakur (Independent MLA, Nalagarh) submitted their papers to the Assembly secretary. They stated their intention to join the opposition BJP.
The trio had triggered controversy earlier by siding with the BJP during the Rajya Sabha polls through cross-voting, along with six rebel Congress legislators who were later disqualified.
Their exit from the House further shrinks the Congress’ strength, muddying the prospects ahead of the 2024 assembly elections that will coincide with the Lok Sabha polls next June.
Voting for vacant Himachal seats and general elections will be held on the same day, with results due June 4. The state plunged into political turmoil recently amid a rash of defections.
The resignations come amid a continuing phase of political instability. While the latest move strengthens the BJP‘s hand, it also reflects vulnerable faultlines within the ruling dispensation.
