A Test of Loyalty: Can Congress Hold Its Ground in Himachal’s Rajya Sabha Battle ?
With Rajya Sabha elections on the horizon, Himachal Pradesh’s ruling Congress is moving to shield itself from internal cracks after a painful past defeat. The party’s state chief, Vinay Kumar, recently launched a sharp attack against BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu, calling him a “traitor”—a move seen less as a routine political jab and more as a deliberate warning to Congress MLAs: stay united, or be seen as betraying the party.
The memory of 2024 still stings. Back then, despite having 40 MLAs, Congress saw its candidate, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, lose to the BJP-backed Harsh Mahajan due to cross-voting. That loss was more than numerical—it shook the party’s confidence and revealed fragile discipline behind closed doors.
Now, as BJP MP Indu Goswami’s term ends, another Rajya Sabha contest is taking shape. For Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, this is about more than just a Parliament seat—it’s a fight to project strength and prevent instability ahead of the state elections in less than two years.
Vinay Kumar’s strong words mirror Rahul Gandhi’s earlier label for Bittu and seem carefully aimed at Congress legislators: switching sides isn’t just politics—it’s betrayal. The leadership hopes this moral framing will press wavering MLAs into line.
Behind the scenes, there’s talk of discontent. Some MLAs are uneasy about the possibility of another “outsider” candidate, like in 2024. Names such as state in-charge Rajni Patil are circulating, raising the old question: Will Delhi’s choice override local sentiment?
In the broader game, every MLA’s vote becomes a measure of loyalty. With the BJP’s history of “Operation Lotus”—luring legislators in other states—Congress wants to shut any door to defection in Himachal.
For now, the party has drawn a clear line in the sand: cross-voting equals betrayal. But when nominations open, will that warning be enough to keep everyone in step? The answer will depend less on public rhetoric and more on the quiet arithmetic inside the legislative chamber.
