Just a few days ahead of the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections in Haryana, the BJP-led Nayab Singh Saini Government has been trying to keep its flock together, while there has been a demand for a floor test by JJP leader Dushyant Chautala, who not very long ago was a partner with the BJP in the Manohar Lal Khattar Government.

While Dushyant wrote to Governor Bandaru Dattatreya seeking a floor-test for the present Haryana Government to prove its majority on floor of the House, the Congress, which had earlier demanded the imposition of President's rule and early Assembly elections in the State, also sought time from the Governor for a meeting with a party delegation.

This comes days after three Independent MLAs withdrew support from the BJP Government, extending support to the Congress.

However, Saini maintained that his Government is not in trouble. He told reporters in Karnal that his Government won a confidence vote in March and "if it comes to seeking the trust vote, I will do it again when the time comes".

The BJP currently has 40 MLAs in the Assembly, shy of the majority mark of 45 in the now 88-member House. Technically, the BJP Government has the support of 43 MLAs (including Independents) now, though it claimed on Tuesday that four JJP MLAs too may offer "tactical assistance to the Government if needed", taking its strength to 47.

The JJP had pulled out of the BJP coalition Government in March 2024. Of the JJP's 10 MLAs, at least six have distanced themselves from Chautala.

The Congress has 30 MLAs in the House. The support of the three Independents takes its tally to 33.

Chautala drew Dattatreya's attention to the "current political turmoil in the State" and urged him to direct the appropriate authority to immediately call for a floor test. The JJP said it is ready to help the Congress topple the Government. Independent MLAs Sombir Sangwan (Dadri), Randhir Singh Gollen (Pundri) and Dharampal Gonder (Nilokheri) withdrew support to the ruling BJP in Haryana on Tuesday.

Saini's predecessor ML Khattar claimed that many MLAs are in touch with the BJP and there is "nothing to worry about".

Chautala wrote that after the Saini Government demonstrated its majority in the Vidhan Sabha with the support of several Independent MLAs, Independent legislator Ranjit Singh Chautala resigned. Given these developments, including the withdrawal of support by the three Independents, it is evident that the incumbent Government no longer commands a majority in the Assembly, Chautala said.

Referring to Article 174 of the Constitution, the JJP leader said the article "confers upon the Governor the authority to summon, prorogue, and dissolve the legislative Assembly".  Chautala mentioned the landmark case S R Bommai case and said the Supreme Court had clarified the "Governor's discretion in determining the majority of a Government".

 "The court emphasised that a Governor has a constitutional obligation to act judiciously and impartially in such matters and can call for a floor test to determine a Government's majority," he said in the letter.