Shimla, 11th March. The Himachal Pradesh Police on Sunday registered a case against independent MLA Ashish Sharma and others, including the father of a disqualified Congress rebel, over alleged electoral offences and bribery connected to the recent Rajya Sabha polls, where six Congress MLAs defied the party whip and voted for the BJP candidate.
The case, filed on the basis of a complaint lodged by Congress MLAs Sanjay Avasthi and Bhuvneshwar Gaur, implicates Ashish Sharma and Chetanya Sharma’s father, among others, in criminal conspiracy, corruption practices, and undue influence on elections.
This development adds a fresh twist to the political crisis gripping Himachal Pradesh, with the Congress government facing upheaval following the defection of six party MLAs during the Rajya Sabha polls held on February 27. The defections, which led to the disqualification of the rebel MLAs, have thrown the state government into turmoil, as it now appears to lack a majority in the assembly.
Reacting to the filing of the case, Congress rebel Rajinder Rana criticized Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s handling of the situation, warning that resorting to pressure tactics would only exacerbate tensions. Rana emphasized that such political maneuvers would not deter the rebel MLAs from their stance.
Meanwhile, Congress legislators Avasthi and Gaur have called for a thorough investigation into the alleged electoral offences, bribery, and criminal conspiracy surrounding the Rajya Sabha polls. They cited evidence suggesting financial inducements and logistical support provided to the rebel MLAs by the BJP, urging law enforcement agencies to take swift action.
Confirming the registration of the case, Shimla Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi disclosed that charges have been filed under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Investigations are underway to ascertain the extent of electoral malpractice and undue influence exerted during the polls.
The political standoff in Himachal Pradesh continues to escalate, with the rebel MLAs and their supporters maintaining their stance against the Congress government’s alleged coercive tactics. Amidst mounting tensions, the fate of the state’s political landscape hangs in the balance, with both the ruling party and opposition factions engaging in a battle of attrition for control and legitimacy.
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