Following the political upheaval in Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the Congress fears a repeat of events in Himachal Pradesh and Manipur. Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Virbhadra Singh met Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday following rumours that the Bharatiya Janata Party was in contact with Congress legislators and was counting on “rebels” to try and oust the state government.

Hours after the meeting, the Congress announced that the BJP was putting in all efforts to overthrow its governments in Himachal Pradesh, as well as in Manipur, The Indian Express reported. Singh said the BJP was trying to “destabilise and topple” his government by using central agencies.

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Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, too, faces a crisis after 25 of his legislators reportedly revolted against him. The Congress has 42 MLAs in the 60-member Manipur Assembly. BJP officials claimed dissident MLAs in the state may join their party if the Congress does not meet their demands. BJP leaders in Manipur also said that “unhappy Congress MLAs” from Himachal Pradesh had been in touch with them.

According to dna, Sonia Gandhi is planning to hold meetings with other state leaders over the next few days. Senior party leaders said the ruling BJP has been fuelling these defections in tune with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s agenda of a "Congress Mukt Bharat". Moreover, dissident MLAs in both Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand reportedly blame Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi’s lack of communication with party legislators for the rebellions.

BJP General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, who had a key role in the political crisis in Uttarakhand, said the Congress had “distanced party leaders” with its style of functioning and support of “anti-national forces”. He said “rebellions are going to happen” in Congress-ruled states all over the country.