Crisis deepen in Himachal, Chief Minister refused to quit

Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh is on the brink with the Opposition BJP demanding a test of strength after winning the state's lone Rajya Sabha seat due to cross-voting by Congress MLAs. The turmoil began with the assembly speaker today expelled 15 BJP MLAs, including Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur, over slogan-shouting and alleged misconduct. Soon After that, powerful minister Vikramaditya Singh resigned, accusing the Sukhu government of disrespecting his late father, Virbhadra Singh.

Meanwhile, A defiant Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu rejected speculation that he would step down as Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister. "I want to make it clear that I haven't resigned. The Congress government will complete five years. We are fighters and we will prove our majority," Sukhu told reporters.

The political drama in the hill state escalated as 15 BJP MLAs, including Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur, were expelled from the Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday following their demand for a floor test after the ruling Congress lost the lone Rajya Sabha seat in the hill state.

After stepping down as minister, Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh said the outcome of the Rajya Sabha polls, in which the ruling Congress lost to the BJP, was a result of the system prevailing in the government since its formation last year. He also stated he was dismayed by the party's slight to his father, the late Virbhadra Singh.

It is learned that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is taking charge of the crisis in Himachal Pradesh. In a briefing to Congress President Kharge, she discussed the state's situation. She has been in touch with several MLAs, including Vikramaditya Singh who spoke to her yesterday. Gandhi is actively monitoring the developments and maintaining regular contact with Sukhvinder Sukhu and Rajiv Shukla.

In a stunning upset for the ruling Congress in the Rajya Sabha election, the BJP emerged victorious. The BJP's Harsh Mahajan defeated Congress's Abhishek Manu Singhvi in a closely contested battle that ended in a tie, with both candidates securing 34 votes each, indicating significant cross-voting within the Congress ranks.