3 Independent MLAs begin picketing in front of the Himachal Assembly for not accepting the resignation
Three Independent MLA and BJP rebels Hoshiyar Singh, K L Thakur, and Ashish Sharma began a dharna before the Himachal Pradesh Assembly secretariat on Saturday to press the issue on the acceptance of their resignation.
It is worthwhile to note here that a trio of Independent MLAs including Hoshiyar Singh from Dehra(Kangra), K L Thakur (Nalagarh), and Ashish Sharma (Hamirpur) tendered their resignation from the assembly membership and decided and join the BJP party on February 22.
On Saturday morning Three Independent MLAs turned up at Vidhansabha secteriat and sat in Dharna in front of Vidhansabha Library.
They also displayed a placard at the site of picketing which highlighted that they have tendered their resignation voluntarily and the speaker should accept it. They decided that their actions were not influenced by anyone.
Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania who was currently on leave and abroad did not accept their resignation so far.
Notices were served to three Independent MLAs on Mar 27, 2024, asking them to appear before him on April 10 at 12.15 pm.
Replying to their notices speaker stated in the notices that a representation was also made to him by some ministers and other members of the assembly alleging doubts about their conduct questioning the timing of resignations and conditions of having submitted voluntarily.
The speaker stated in terms of Article 190 (3)(b) of the Constitution of India read with Rule 287 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of H.P. Legislative Assembly, now three MLAs have to appear in person for inquiry before the Speaker on 10th April 2024 12.15 a/pm at Committee Room, H.P. Vidhan Sabha, Shimla.
The speaker also warned, ” If MLAs fail to submit any response and fail to appear for inquiry, it will be inferred that you(they) have nothing to submit in this regard.”
Members may submit a written response at least one day before the date fixed for inquiry.
According to legislation experts if three Independent and 25 BJP MLAs quit together and, 34 seats get vacated in the 68-member house the state government may be toppled and ECI can announce mid term poll for all 68 Assembly seats on the recommendation of the Governor. However, until the speaker did not consider the resignation of the three MLAs quitting of BJP 25 members did not make any difference.
A statement given by Governor Shiv Partap Shukla on Thursday stated that his role in deciding on the resignation of three Independent MLAs is merely as a postman and he had sent a letter to two speakers about the matter.
Guv said that the Speaker showed due curtsey to Rajbhavan on the two occasions to acknowledge and reply to both the letters submitted to him by 25 members of BJP legislators and three Independent. Guv informed that he has submitted two memorandums by the BJP legislative party during the budget session seeking division of vote on the cut motions and three Independent MLAs recently seeking direction to the speaker to accept their resignation.
Now the ball is in the court of speakers who would hear the issue of resignation on April 10 as the notice was served to three MLAs stating that he would have to determine whether resignation from H.P. Vidhan Sabha is liable to be accepted or rejected.
However, the state has been in political turmoil for the last month following crossing over in the Rajyasabha poll by six Congress MLAs who were disqualified. Three Independent MLAs who also supported the BJP candidate in the RS poll unexpectedly joined six Congress-disqualified MLAs and decided to join the BJP however they did yet tender their resignation.
Three Independent MLAs interestingly elected against the BJP candidate seeking resignation to join BJP and BJP promised them support and ticket if they go for a bye-election.
