The six Congress rebels in Himachal Pradesh are facing an uphill battle as they await a decision from the Supreme Court regarding their disqualification from the state Assembly.
With the court listing their matter for May 6 and the Election Commission of India declaring elections in their Assembly segments on June 1, their political future hangs in the balance.
Despite the possibility of reconciliation with the Congress seeming slim, as bitter exchanges between the rebels and the Chief Minister persist, the rebels may have no choice but to contest the Assembly polls again.
However, returning to their constituencies with a changed political stance after leaving the Congress just 14 months into its rule poses significant challenges.
While it may not be easy for the BJP to accommodate all the rebels, especially with strong contenders within the party in certain constituencies, the rebels themselves may find it difficult to campaign against the Congress so soon after switching sides. Voices within the BJP are already raising concerns about accommodating the rebels, particularly in constituencies like Kutlehar and Lahaul & Spiti.
The political landscape in Himachal Pradesh is unique, with its own set of values and sentiments. Political analysts believe that the electorate will closely scrutinize the rebels' decisions, irrespective of their political affiliations.
The troubles began when the rebels defied the party whip during the Rajya Sabha polls, leading to their disqualification from the state Assembly. Despite their claims of wanting a leadership change within the party, the rebels were swiftly moved to a hotel in Chandigarh under tight security.
The intervention of the Congress high command temporarily quelled dissent within the party, with measures taken to address the grievances of the rebel camp. However, BJP's attempts to capitalise on the situation have now been stalled, with the Congress' focus shifting from stopping the topple of the government to winning seats in the upcoming polls.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is rallying support against the BJP, accusing them of using money power to destabilize the government. He remains optimistic about the Congress's prospects in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, banking on the support of the people.
In the midst of these political maneuvers, the fate of the six Congress rebels hangs in the balance, with their decisions likely to shape the political landscape of Himachal Pradesh in the coming months.
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