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BJP-HVC alliance wins trust motion in HP

The Bharatiya Janata Party-Himachal Vikas Congress alliance government, led by P K Dhumal, has won the vote of confidence in the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha.

The motion, moved by Dhumal, was adopted by a voice vote in the absence of the Opposition, which had earlier staged a walkout.

Dhumal came to power on March 24 when the Virbhadra Singh government resigned, following withdrawal of support by a lone independent MLA, Ramesh Chand Choudhary. Governor V S Rama Devi had asked him to prove his majority on the floor of the House within 10 days.

The assembly election, held along with the Lok Sabha poll, had thrown up a hung House, with neither the Congress nor the BJP enjoying a clear majority.

In the 68-member House, which has an effective strength of 64, the BJP-HVC alliance, together with the support of an Independent MLA, have 33 members.

On March 6, the governor invited Virbhadra Singh to form a government and prove majority by March 16. However, he was forced to quit much before the date after Chand Choudhary withdrew support.

Subsequently, Choudhary joined Dhumal's government.

The Congress strength was reduced further on Monday when the BJP combine nominated Congressman Gulab Singh as speaker amidst protests and walkout by the entire Opposition.

UNI

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