With just over two weeks remaining until the Lok Sabha elections in Haryana, three Independent MLAs have withdrawn their support from the BJP government in the state. They have instead extended "outside" support to the Congress party.
This move leaves the BJP tentatively placed with 40 MLAs in the Assembly. With the House strength reduced to 88, the majority mark stands at 45. Although the BJP government claims to have the support of 43 MLAs currently, it suggested on Tuesday that four Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) MLAs might also provide "tactical assistance" if necessary, potentially raising its strength to 47.
The three Independent MLAs who switched sides on Tuesday are Dharampal Gondher from Nilokheri, Randhir Golan from Pundri, and Sombir Sangwan from Dadri. They made their decision public in the presence of former Congress Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in Rohtak.
Following this development, Hooda stated that the current BJP government should resign considering public sentiments and demanded that President’s rule should be imposed in the state.
Haryana INC President Udai Bhan urged that the Assembly elections, scheduled for the end of this year, be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls on May 25.
Chief Minister Saini accused the Congress of engineering the MLAs' defection, asserting that the Congress was prioritising personal ambitions over public welfare.
The current strength of the House is 88, down from its total of 90, as two MLAs had resigned earlier to contest the Lok Sabha polls on BJP tickets. Former BJP CM Manohar Lal Khattar is contesting from Karnal, while Ranjit Singh Chautala, previously an Independent MLA, is now running on a BJP ticket from Hisar.
Some time ago, the BJP ended its alliance with the JJP of Dushyant Chautala, whose 10 MLAs had helped form the government in 2019. Since then, at least six JJP MLAs have distanced themselves from Chautala.
The Congress currently holds 30 seats in the House, and with the addition of the three Independent MLAs, their tally rises to 33.
Rejecting claims of losing its majority, Saini's media secretary Praveen Attrey stated that besides the BJP's 40 MLAs, the party also has the support of two Independent MLAs, Nayan Pal Rawat and Rakesh Daultabad, as well as Gopal Kanda of the Haryana Lokhit Party (HLP), and four JJP MLAs.
Independent MLA Randhir Golan clarified that their decision was not opportunistic, but reflected the sentiments of the public concerning issues like inflation, unemployment, and controversial government schemes like family and property IDs.
Sombir Sangwan echoed these sentiments, mentioning that their discontent had roots in previous actions of the government during the farmer protests, indicating a broader dissatisfaction with the ruling party.
Gondher added that their previous support for the BJP was contingent on Khattar being CM, suggesting that the sudden change in leadership was a factor in their decision.
Former CM Hooda commended the MLAs' move, indicating a growing lack of confidence in the current regime and expressing optimism for a Congress government in the upcoming state elections.