Haryana Govt. in Crisis as 3 Independents Switch
The BJP government of Haryana now faces turmoil after 3 independent MLAs (Members of Legislative Assembly) withdrew their support in favour of the INC (Indian National Congress) on Tuesday, May 7.
This abrupt exit of the three independent MLAs—Randhir Golan (Pundri), Dharampal Gonder (Nilokheri), and Sombir Sangwan (Dadri)—in close proximity to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections has left the BJP government of Haryana fumbling to maintain a majority.
The total strength of the house is 90, but currently it stands at 88, after two MLAs resigned previously to contest the Lok Sabha polls. The reduction in house strength has also reduced the majority mark to 45.
The BJP currently has the support of 43 MLAs (including independents). The party announced on Tuesday that four JJP (Jannayak Janta Party) MLAs may offer their allegiance to the government if the need arises.
The three independent MLAs who switched sides on Tuesday announced their decision to support Congress in the presence of former Congress CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda in Rohtak.
Haryana Congress President, Udai Bhan, said on Wednesday, “We are going to write to the Governor that three Independent MLAs have withdrawn support, and they have extended support to our party. The government is in the minority, and they have no right to stay in power. We will demand that the government be dismissed, President’s Rule be imposed, and fresh elections be held.”
The current CM of Haryana, Nayab Singh Saini (BJP), has refuted the claims of the BJP not making the majority mark and has also accused the Congress of orchestrating the side switching of the 3 Independent MLAs.
JJP leader Dushyant Chautala pushes for a floor test
JJP (Jannayak Janta Party) leader Dushyant Chautala wrote to Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya on Wednesday, demanding a floor test against the BJP government in the state assembly after the three independent MLAs withdrew their support for the BJP in favour of the Congress.
Chautala wrote, “Given the developments and the clear stance of the party, i.e., JJP, which does not extend its support to the present government and is open to backing any other political party for government formation, it is evident that the incumbent government no longer commands a majority in the Legislative Assembly.”
Back in March, the BJP had pulled out of its alliance with the JJP. Of the 10 JJP MLAs who helped the BJP form its government in 2019, six have distanced themselves from Dushyant Chautala.
Chautala had also asked Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda to press the governor for conducting a floor test in the assembly and guaranteed full support from the JJP if legal moves are taken against the BJP.
Congress currently has 30 MLAs, with the alleged support of 10 MLAs from JJP. With the three independent MLAs pledging allegiance to the party on Tuesday, the total tally becomes 43. Previously, another Independent MLA, Balraj Kundu, had also announced his opposition to the current BJP government of Haryana.
If he also extends support for Congress, the party will have 44 MLAs, just one short of the 45-member majority mark. The final piece of the puzzle may be Indian National Lok Dal’s (INLD) Om Prakash Chautala, the only MLA of the party in the assembly.
If Om Prakash supports the BJP, then it will result in a deadlock with 44 MLAs on both sides. But if he supports the Congress, then the party will go ahead and form the next government in Haryana.
The three independent MLAs had stated that their decision to support Congress was actually “a reflection of the public’s voice.” They stated that they had agreed to support the BJP government as long as Manohar Lal Khattar remained CM, indicating that the party’s abrupt change in leadership did not go down well among the Independents.
They also highlighted the BJP’s totalitarian crackdown on the farmers protests of 2020-24, and stated that the capacity of the party to do good has been severely diminished over the years
