Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha was on Wednesday adjourned sine die after the passing of the budget for 2024-25 and related Appropriation Bill authorising the government to spend Rs 6,24,21.73 crore from the consolidated fund.

After the passage of the Budget, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while talking to the media, said, “The budget was passed today and the conspiracy to topple our government has been foiled and our government will complete five years…”

Also Read: Cross-voting and a rebellion: Litmus test for CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on penultimate day of Himachal Pradesh Budget Session

The Budget was passed in the absence of BJP members as 15 of them, including Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur, were suspended and the remaining 10 staged a walkout in protest.

The Vidhan Sabha was adjourned a day ahead of schedule as the political scenario changed dramatically after the defeat of Congress candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi in Rajya Sabha elections on Tuesday and the announcement of resignation by Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh from the Sukhu cabinet.

The budget was presented on February 17, 2024 by CM Sukhu, who also holds the finance portfolio. Discussions on the budget were held for four days from February 19 to 22.

Also Read: Jairam Thakur, 14 other BJP MLAs, suspended from Himachal Assembly

Himachal Pradesh political drama

The ruling Congress suffered a massive jolt as the BJP snatched victory in the lone Rajya Sabha seat, triggering murmurs of a possible rebellion within its legislators in Himachal Pradesh.

Despite having an absolute majority with 40 MLAs and support from 3 Independent MLAs as well, both the Congress and BJP candidates received 34 votes each as 9 MLAs cross-voted in favour of the BJP. Following the tie, the winner was declared after a draw of lots. After the political drama, the BJP claimed that the Congress government led by Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu lost its majority and sought a floor test in a meeting with the Himachal Governor.

However, the Congress government in the hill state has now got a respite for three months after the budget was passed in the Assembly with no BJP MLAs present. Earlier, 15 BJP MLAs, including LoP Jairam Thakur, were expelled by the Speaker and the remaining 10 legislators walked out of the House.