New Delhi, Dec 8, 2022: With Congress on its way to clinch victory in Himachal Pradesh, cautious measures are being taken to make sure that its flock sticks together. Party observer Rajeev Shukla said to reporters that MLAs may be moved to Chandigarh, 90 km away, “for convenience”, and added BJP’s poaching attempts will not succeed if the Congress crosses 40, five above the majority mark in the 68-member assembly.
When inquired about who will become the chief minister, Shukla said, “The high command will decide after discussion with MLAs.”
The three most popular contenders are state unit chief Pratibha Singh, current Leader of Opposition Sukhvinder Sukhu, and Mukesh Agnihotri which is the reason why the party was apprehensive about BJP’s “Operation Lotus”. The latter is the code for PM Narendra Modi’s party getting MLAs to switch loyalties to crush Opposition parties from forming governments. Recently, Congress suffered the same faith in Madhya Pradesh.
Several winning candidates have already started reaching Pratibha Singh’s home in Shimla. Congress in-charge Tajinder Singh Bittu stated earlier today, “We are taking our leaders to Chandigarh and closing our doors and windows as the BJP will try to poach the candidates like they have done many times in the past.”
Bhupesh Baghel answered a query about it in Chhattisgarh before leaving for Himachal. He said, “I will be going to Himachal as I am the party observer there. We’ll not bring them (MLAs) here. But we do have to ensure our people are kept together. The BJP can go to any lengths.”
