Congress minister Vikramaditya Singh on Wednesday (Feb 28) stated that he will withhold his resignation until the observers' report is submitted.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/himachal-pradesh-politics-crisis-live-15-bjp-mlas-expelled-as-harsh-mahajan-won-rajya-sabha-seat-amid-cross-voting-694639">Himachal Pradesh political crisis LIVE: BJP seeks no-trust vote</a>

He emphasised the distinction between retracting the resignation and deferring its press until the conclusion of the dialogue.

Singh mentioned, "We have engaged with the observers, apprising them of the current situation. I will refrain from pressing my resignation until a decision is reached. The ultimate resolution will be determined in the near future."

On Tuesday, the BJP secured victory in Himachal Pradesh's sole Rajya Sabha seat, as their candidate Harsh Mahajan defeated the Congress veteran Abhishek Manu Singhvi. The competition concluded with both Congress and BJP candidates receiving 34 votes each, indicating that at least six Congress MLAs voted against their party. The final outcome was determined through a draw of lots.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-claims-congress-govt-in-himachal-pradesh-loses-majority-amid-reports-of-cross-voting-in-rs-polls-694446" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-claims-congress-govt-in-himachal-pradesh-loses-majority-amid-reports-of-cross-voting-in-rs-polls-694446&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjM48yfuc6EAxVBcGwGHdCvApgQFnoECAkQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw0YI666TKPFV_vGEDfJqTKg" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-claims-congress-govt-in-himachal-pradesh-loses-majority-amid-reports-of-cross-voting-in-rs-polls-694446" target="_blank">Congress govt in&nbsp;Himachal Pradesh&nbsp;has lost majority, claims BJP</a>

In the 68-member assembly, the Congress holds 40 seats, while the BJP has 25 legislators in Himachal. The remaining three seats are occupied by independent members.

Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP leader Jairam Thakur, after conferring with party legislators in Shimla, remarked, "The Speaker has suspended 15 BJP MLAs from the House; this suspension was undoubtedly executed to safeguard the government. If the budget motion had not passed today, it would have confirmed that the government had lost its majority."

Congress leader&nbsp;Jairam Ramesh&nbsp;accused the BJP of attempting to overthrow the Congress government in the state. He asserted that the party leadership would not hesitate to make tough decisions, emphasising the supremacy of the party.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/himachal-pradesh-political-crisis-after-rajya-sabha-debacle-what-it-means-for-congress-party-694692" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/himachal-pradesh-political-crisis-after-rajya-sabha-debacle-what-it-means-for-congress-party-694692&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjM48yfuc6EAxVBcGwGHdCvApgQFnoECAYQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw3n0KgYj2PWI4283HYY03cZ" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/himachal-pradesh-political-crisis-after-rajya-sabha-debacle-what-it-means-for-congress-party-694692" target="_blank">Himachal Pradesh&nbsp;political crisis after Rajya Sabha debacle</a>

"Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and AICC in-charge Rajeev Shukla are actively involved. They have engaged with the Congress president, who has instructed them to convene meetings and attentively address the grievances and demands of all MLAs," stated Jairam Ramesh.

He further remarked, "Cross-voting occurred, but dealing with the conspiracy to destabilise the Congress government — the steps to be taken by the party to counter this 'Operation Lotus' — the Congress president has directed these senior colleagues to interact with everyone, gather their perspectives, and submit a report promptly."

During the Wednesday (Feb 28) assembly session, the Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly expelled 15 BJP MLAs, including LoP Jairam Thakur, Vipin Singh Parmar, Randheer Sharma, Lokender Kumar, Vinod Kumar, Hans Raj, Janak Raj, Balbir Verma, Trilok Jamwal, Surender Shori, Deep Raj, Puran Thakur, Inder Singh Gandhi, Dileep Thakur, and Inder Singh Gandhi. The expulsion was reportedly a consequence of their involvement in disruptive behaviour, including shouting slogans, within the Speaker's chamber.

(With inputs from agencies)

Congress minister Vikramaditya Singh on Wednesday (Feb 28) stated that he will withhold his resignation until the observers' report is submitted. Also read: Himachal Pradesh political crisis LIVE: BJP seeks no-trust vote He emphasised the distinction between retracting the resignation and deferring its press until the conclusion of the dialogue.

Congress minister Vikramaditya Singh on Wednesday (Feb 28) stated that he will withhold his resignation until the observers' report is submitted. Also read: Himachal Pradesh political crisis LIVE: BJP seeks no-trust vote He emphasised the distinction between retracting the resignation and deferring its press until the conclusion of the dialogue. Singh mentioned, "We have engaged with the observers, apprising them of the current situation. I will refrain from pressing my resignation until a decision is reached. The ultimate resolution will be determined in the near future." On Tuesday, the BJP secured victory in Himachal Pradesh's sole Rajya Sabha seat, as their candidate Harsh Mahajan defeated the Congress veteran Abhishek Manu Singhvi. The competition concluded with both Congress and BJP candidates receiving 34 votes each, indicating that at least six Congress MLAs voted against their party. The final outcome was determined through a draw of lots. Also read: Congress govt in Himachal Pradesh has lost majority, claims BJP In the 68-member assembly, the Congress holds 40 seats, while the BJP has 25 legislators in Himachal. The remaining three seats are occupied by independent members. Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP leader Jairam Thakur, after conferring with party legislators in Shimla, remarked, "The Speaker has suspended 15 BJP MLAs from the House; this suspension was undoubtedly executed to safeguard the government. If the budget motion had not passed today, it would have confirmed that the government had lost its majority." Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accused the BJP of attempting to overthrow the Congress government in the state. He asserted that the party leadership would not hesitate to make tough decisions, emphasising the supremacy of the party. Also read: Himachal Pradesh political crisis after Rajya Sabha debacle "Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and AICC in-charge Rajeev Shukla are actively involved. They have engaged with the Congress president, who has instructed them to convene meetings and attentively address the grievances and demands of all MLAs," stated Jairam Ramesh. He further remarked, "Cross-voting occurred, but dealing with the conspiracy to destabilise the Congress government — the steps to be taken by the party to counter this 'Operation Lotus' — the Congress president has directed these senior colleagues to interact with everyone, gather their perspectives, and submit a report promptly." During the Wednesday (Feb 28) assembly session, the Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly expelled 15 BJP MLAs, including LoP Jairam Thakur, Vipin Singh Parmar, Randheer Sharma, Lokender Kumar, Vinod Kumar, Hans Raj, Janak Raj, Balbir Verma, Trilok Jamwal, Surender Shori, Deep Raj, Puran Thakur, Inder Singh Gandhi, Dileep Thakur, and Inder Singh Gandhi. The expulsion was reportedly a consequence of their involvement in disruptive behaviour, including shouting slogans, within the Speaker's chamber. (With inputs from agencies)

Himachal Pradesh political crisis: Minister Vikramaditya Singh withholds his resignation

The BJP is all set to form the government in Himachal Pradesh as its candidates were on the victory lap in 36 of the 68 Assembly elections on Monday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/2017himachal-pradesh-elections-himachal-poll-live-results-27015">Trends from counting </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/2017himachal-pradesh-elections-himachal-poll-live-results-27015">centres</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/2017himachal-pradesh-elections-himachal-poll-live-results-27015"> across Himachal Pradesh</a> showed the Congress was ahead in 21 constituencies while smaller parties and independents had inched ahead of all others in three seats.

The Bharatiya Janata Party needs 35 seats to form the government.&nbsp;

State BJP spokesperson Ganesh Dutt told: &quot;We have crossed the half-way mark. This clearly indicates we are going to form the government in the state.&quot;

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh (Arki) and his son Vikramaditya Singh (Shimla Rural) were, however, ahead of their BJP rivals.

State BJP chief Satpal Singh Satti trailed to the Congress from Una.

A total of 337 candidates contested the November 9 election. A total of 37,83,580 people voted in the hill state -- a record 75.28 per cent polling.

The Congress and the BJP contested in all the 68 constituencies. Most exit polls had predicted the BJP`s return to power with a majority.

The state has alternately elected Congress and BJP since 1985. In 2012, the Congress won 36 seats and the BJP 26. Independents bagged six seats. 
&nbsp;

The Bharatiya Janata Party needs 35 seats to control the Himachal Assembly.

The BJP is all set to form the government in Himachal Pradesh as its candidates were on the victory lap in 36 of the 68 Assembly elections on Monday. Trends from counting centres across Himachal Pradesh showed the Congress was ahead in 21 constituencies while smaller parties and independents had inched ahead of all others in three seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party needs 35 seats to form the government. State BJP spokesperson Ganesh Dutt told: "We have crossed the half-way mark. This clearly indicates we are going to form the government in the state." Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh (Arki) and his son Vikramaditya Singh (Shimla Rural) were, however, ahead of their BJP rivals. State BJP chief Satpal Singh Satti trailed to the Congress from Una. A total of 337 candidates contested the November 9 election. A total of 37,83,580 people voted in the hill state -- a record 75.28 per cent polling. The Congress and the BJP contested in all the 68 constituencies. Most exit polls had predicted the BJP`s return to power with a majority. The state has alternately elected Congress and BJP since 1985. In 2012, the Congress won 36 seats and the BJP 26. Independents bagged six seats.

BJP poised to form government in Himachal Pradesh

The Election commission today announced the dates for assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A K Joti said that there will be a single-phase election in Himachal Pradesh. The state will go to polls on November 9 and the counting will be held on December 18.

&quot;Model code of conduct for Himachal Pradesh assembly election comes into effect from now itself,&quot; the CEC said. &quot;Bulk SMSes &amp; voice messages on phone shall also be in purview of election advertisements,&quot; he added.

We will have VVPATs along with EVMs; height of voting compartments will be increased to 30 inches, CEC Joti said.

&quot;The election is mainly against the BJP and we know their strengths and&nbsp;weaknesses,&quot; Himachal chief minister&nbsp;Virbhadra Singh said.

&quot;They are relying on Modi. We are self-reliant and&nbsp;focused on development,&quot;&nbsp;the chief minister added.

The commission is soon expected to announce the dates for assembly elections in Gujarat. The CEC today said that Gujarat elections will be held before December 18.

Joti had said on Wednesday that voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) system will be used in over 50,000 booths in Gujarat. VVPAT was first used in Goa polls earlier this year.

The tenure of 182-member Gujarat assembly is due to end on January 22, 2018.

The term of the 68-member Himachal Assembly ends on January 7, 2018.&nbsp;

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A K Joti said that there will be a single-phase election in Himachal Pradesh.

The Election commission today announced the dates for assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A K Joti said that there will be a single-phase election in Himachal Pradesh. The state will go to polls on November 9 and the counting will be held on December 18. "Model code of conduct for Himachal Pradesh assembly election comes into effect from now itself," the CEC said. "Bulk SMSes & voice messages on phone shall also be in purview of election advertisements," he added. We will have VVPATs along with EVMs; height of voting compartments will be increased to 30 inches, CEC Joti said. "The election is mainly against the BJP and we know their strengths and weaknesses," Himachal chief minister Virbhadra Singh said. "They are relying on Modi. We are self-reliant and focused on development," the chief minister added. The commission is soon expected to announce the dates for assembly elections in Gujarat. The CEC today said that Gujarat elections will be held before December 18. Joti had said on Wednesday that voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) system will be used in over 50,000 booths in Gujarat. VVPAT was first used in Goa polls earlier this year. The tenure of 182-member Gujarat assembly is due to end on January 22, 2018. The term of the 68-member Himachal Assembly ends on January 7, 2018.

Himachal Pradesh assembly election on November 9, counting on December 18