Two Independent Members of Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Prakash Rana (Joginder Nagar ) and Hoshiar Singh (Dehra Gopipur), who had joined BJP recently, would continue to maintain the status of Independent MLAs during the monsoon assembly session beginning August 10.
The Speaker of Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Vipin Pramar said, “The two MLAs would continue to sit on opposition benches as a separate group in the state Assembly during the monsoon session; the matter of their joining the ruling party is still under consideration and decision would be taken as per law.”
Prakash Rana and Hoshiar Singh had publically joined ruling party (BJP) some time back but Congress leaders have challenged their entry into the BJP citing provision of anti-defection law. The appeal is still pending with the speaker.
Their entry in the BJP has also invited criticism from a section of BJP leaders in Joginder Nagar and Dehra – Gopipur constituencies, where former senior BJP ministers Gulab Singh Thakur and Ravinder Ravi, respectively had contested the election as BJP candidates and are vying for the party ticket for the coming Assembly Election.
The ensuing monsoon assembly session of Himachal Pradesh would be the last session of the 13th HP Legislative Assembly as its term would end and the Assembly election in the state is due in December 2022.