With the Lok Sabha elections in Haryana in a fortnight, three independent MLAs have withdrawn their support to the BJP government in the state and extended “outside” support to the Congress.
As a result, BJP now has 40 MLAs in the assembly. With the House’s strength reduced to 88, the required number for a majority is 45. Currently, the BJP government now has the support of 43 MLAs, though four Democratic Janata Party MLAs can provide tactical support to the government if needed. The BJP said on Tuesday that it can be provided. This increases its strength to 47.
Three independent MLAs Dharampal Gondar (Nilogeri), Randhir Golan (Pundri) and Sombir Sangwan (Datri) who defected on Tuesday announced their decision in the presence of former Congress chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in Rohtak.
Immediately Hooda said: This government should resign considering the sentiments of the public. President’s rule should be implemented in the state.
Haryana BJP president Uday Pan has demanded that assembly elections in Haryana state be held at the end of this year, simultaneously with Lok Sabha elections on May 25. “Saini has no right to stay in government even for a moment.” He also said.
Chief Minister Saini blamed Congress’ machinations for what happened. “Some MLAs have certain ambitions. These days, the Congress is apparently fulfilling (such) wishes. People understand this. Who knows what the ambition is. Congress has nothing to do with people’s demand. They only care about their ambitions,” said Saini.
While the total strength of the House is 90, it now stands at 88 as two MLAs resigned earlier to contest the Lok Sabha elections. Former BJP chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar is contesting in Karnal Lok Sabha constituency and Ranjit Singh Chautala, who was an independent BJP MLA in Hisar constituency.
Two months ago, the BJP broke ties with Dushyant Chautala’s JJP, whose 10 MLAs helped form the government in 2019. At least six of JJP’s 10 MLAs defected to Chautala.
Congress has 30 MLAs in the Lok Sabha. Its tally rose to 33 with the support of three independents.
Rejecting Congress claims that the BJP government has lost its majority, Saini’s media secretary Praveen Atre told The Indian Express that apart from BJP’s own 40 MLAs, the party has two independent MLAs. Nayan Pal Rawat and Rakesh Dauldabad, Gopal Kanda of Haryana Lokhit Party (HLP); And four JJP MLAs, Devendra Singh Babli, Ram Kumar Gautam, Jogi Ram Chihag and Ram Niwas Surjakera said they have support.
“Thus the BJP government has the support of 47 MLAs, which is enough support against a simple majority of 45,” Atre said.
Golan, one of the independents who switched from BJP to Congress, said: We have been supporting the BJP government since last four and a half years. But today, inflation and unemployment have hit new highs, while farmers, labourers, traders, employees… all… are upset with the concept of household IT and property IT. The identity cards were launched by the Qatar government as a single card for families to access government benefits.
Colon said it would be wrong to view their decision as “opportunistic,” adding that it was actually “a reflection of the voice of the public.”
He also pointed out that during the 2020-21 farmers’ agitation, Sangwan, one of the independents who defected on Tuesday, withdrew support to the then BJP-KJJP government.
“All of us at that time (farmers’ protest) were against the government in Vidanasauda. While we supported the good things of the government, we also raised our voices on other issues in the Vidhana Sabha,” said Golan, denying any “pressure” and underlining that they were “independent”.
Sangwan also spoke about his protest against the Qatari government during the farmers’ protest and said that an MLA was expected to join them but could not due to some reasons.
Gondar, Golan, Sangwan, the third independent now in the Congress fold, said he and another independent MLA, Nayan Pal Rawat, have decided to support the BJP government as long as Khattar is chief minister. Saini is not functioning properly. “When our Senapati (Qatar) went, it hurt us.” Gondar said.
Lauding the decision of the three MLAs, Hooda said it shows that people have lost faith in the present government. “They have taken the right decision at the right time… People have made up their minds to vote for Congress rule in the state.” Hooda also said.
