Hp crisis: sukhu takes responsibility for singhvi's defeat; differences ironed out, says dk shivakumar

First priority of the Congress is to maintain discipline, they said, adding the government has proved its majority in the House and all the party MLAs and other leaders have resolved to work

together. The announcements by the Congress' observers came after Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania disqualified six Congress MLAs who had cross-voted in the

recent Rajya Sabha polls for the lone seat in the state. Earlier, Pratibha Singh, who had been raising the concerns of the Congress leaders, said that disqualification of six MLAs could have

been avoided had the grievances of rebel MLAs been redressed. She said it was unfortunate that the Congress lost the Rajya Sabha elections. The party is strong and differences have been

resolved, the Himachal Congress chief said, adding the committee would ensure coordination between the state government and the organization. "The challenge is to win all four seats in

Lok Sabha polls for which we have to work hard," she added. The Congress government is stable and would continue for five years and the rebel Congress MLAs who contested on Congress

ticket and were bought would not be able to face the public, said Sukhu. However, he maintained that "these MLAs are our brothers and mistakes could be forgiven if they wish to come

back but we are unable to contact them as their mobile phones are not reachable". He accepted that there were shortcomings on his part as well as intelligence and said that he takes

responsibility. Referring to RUMOURS REGARDING HIS RESIGNATION, Sukhu said it was a conspiracy to reduce the number of Congress MLAs during voting on the Budget and that "I had earlier

clarified that I have not resigned".