Haryana is in crisis with Prime Minister Nayab Singh Saini-led NDA government reduced to a minority after three independent MLAs withdrew their support on Tuesday. After the announcement, the Congress demanded that Prime Minister Nayab Singh Saini should resign immediately.
The shock for the BJP came when on Tuesday three independent MLAs – Sombir Sangwan (Dadri), Randhir Singh Gollen (Pundri) and Dharampal Gonder (Nilokheri) – who had been supporting the saffron party since 2019, withdrew their support and reduced the BJP's majority to a minority in the 90-member (two seats are vacant) General Assembly.
Half are 45 and the NDA currently has 43 MLAs. The government needs the support of two more members to continue to hold the reins of government. The three independent MLAs who withdrew their support said they would support the Congress in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
What do the numbers look like in the Haryana Assembly? The BJP has 40 members in the current Assembly (after the resignation of Manohar Lal Khattar as Karnal MP). Since three independent MLAs withdrew their support, the saffron party now enjoys the support of only two parties. That's 42! Haryana Lokhit Party (HLP) MLA Gopal Kanda also extended his support to the BJP, taking the BJP's tally to 43 – two short of the majority.
The Congress has 30 MLAs. As a political realignment had taken place amid the differences between the BJP and the JJP, Dushyant Chautala is ready to extend his party's support to the grand old party. “I want to tell Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda that going by the current numbers in the Assembly, if there is a move to topple this government during (Lok Sabha) elections, we will fully consider supporting them in it. Now Congress has to think whether they will take a step to topple the BJP government,” Dushyant Singh Chautala said.
With JJP's ten MLAs and three independents, the Congress would have 43 MLAs in its fold.
Independent MLA Balraj Kundu also claims to be against the government. If he extends his support to the Congress, the party will have 44 MLAs – one short of the halfway point.
Does Om Prakash Chautala hold the key? The Om Prakash Chautala-led Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) has only one MLA in the Assembly. If INLD backs the BJP, it would result in a hung Assembly with 44 MLAs on both sides. But if Om Prakash Chautala supports the Congress, the old party will have to show the letter of support to the governor to form the next government.
How does Congress work this out? With the support of three independent MLAs, JJP's 10 legislators and if independent Balraj Kundu also extends his support to the old party, the Congress will have to reach out to the INLD to get them on its side.
However, the Congress is seeking to impose President's Rule and fresh assembly elections in Haryana. It has also asked JJP and others to write to the governor.
“We are going to write to the governor that three independent MLAs have withdrawn their support and they have extended their support to our party… the government is in minority and they have no right to remain in power. We will demand dismissal of the government, imposition of presidency and holding of fresh elections,” Haryana Congress president Udai Bhan said.
“Similarly, the JJP should also write a letter stating that the government should be dismissed. INLDs Abhay Singh Chautala and independent MLA Balraj Kundu, who claim to be against the government, should write similar letters to the governor,” senior Congress leader BB Batra added.
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Published: May 8, 2024 4:44 PM IST