‘BJP’s work in Himachal better than ours’: Congress MP Pratibha Singh amid turmoil in state

Pratibha Singh added that she had conveyed this message to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and asked him to strengthen the organisation. “From Day 1, I had been telling the CM that we will be able to face the upcoming elections only if he strengthens the organisation. This is a very tough situation for us. We can see a lot of difficulties on the ground. On the other hand, the BJP is doing a lot of things by working as per the directions of PM Modi.”

#WATCH | Shimla | When asked who is better prepared as of today – Congress or BJP, Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Pratibha Singh says, “A lot of things remain to be done in Congress…It is true that BJP’s working is better than ours.” pic.twitter.com/bsQ1t6H4X0

— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2024

The Himachal Pradesh Congress chief further said: “We are on weak footing. I can say that it is a difficult time. Still, we have to contest elections and win.”

This comes days after Pratibha Singh’s son state PWD minister Vikramaditya Singh offered his resignation from the Sukhu Cabinet while accusing the latter of humiliating his father. However, sources had said that he had later “withdrawn his resignation”.

The Congress central leadership had decided to set up a six-member coordination committee, tasked with ironing out the differences within the state unit. Pratibha Singh and her son Vikramaditya Singh have reluctantly agreed to the central leadership’s decision to set up the committee, but are far from happy, sources told The Indian Express.

When asked about the disqualification of the six Congress MLAs under the anti-defection law, Pratibha Singh said that it was natural for the legislators to be upset over the move. “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 down with, talked to them and found out a solution, this situation would not have occurred,” she said.

All the six MLAs were disqualified under the anti-defection law on Thursday for defying the party whip to remain present at the time of voting on the cut motion on the Budget. One of the rebel MLAs said they would approach the Supreme Court.

Following the disqualifications, the effective strength of the House has reduced from 68 to 62, with the Congress count at 34. The BJP has 25 MLAs.