Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker Gian Chand Gupta on Wednesday said that he has not received any official information regarding the withdrawal of support to the State Government by three Independent MLAs so far, adding that he cannot take a decision based on media reports. He said there is no threat to the Nayab Singh Saini-led Government as it has a majority, adding that technically, the situation is the same as it was about two months ago in March when Saini had secured the majority in the Assembly after assuming power. Even today, BJP has 40 MLAs, Congress has 30 MLAs, 10 are of JJP, six are independent, and one MLA is of HLP and one MLA from INLD, he added. The Speaker said the Governor can summon the House and call for a floor test to prove whether the government has the numbers or not. Gupta pointed out that when the House is in session, it is the Speaker who can call for a floor test. Once the Governor's communication comes to the Speaker office, the decision will be taken as per the situation, he added.  In an interview with ‘The Pioneer’, the Speaker talks about current political situations arising in the State in the aftermath of withdrawal of support to the BJP-led Government by three independent legislators.

After the withdrawal of support to the Government by three independent MLAs, do you think, Nayab Singh Saini led Government in Haryana is in the minority?

Through newspapers, I learned that three independent MLAs have withdrawn their support to the Government. But I cannot comment on media reports on whether the Nayab Singh Saini-led Government has lost the majority or not. I have not received any official information regarding withdrawal of support to the government by three independent MLAs. Technically, the situation is the same as it was about two months ago in March 2024 when Saini had secured the majority in the Vidhan Sabha Assembly after assuming power.

After three independent MLAs withdrew support to the Government, CM Saini -led Govt now has support of only 43 out of 88 MLAs. What is your role as a speaker now?  

I can’t comment on who has numbers…who does not have numbers…, which parties support whom...; who supports whom… Only the CM can say. As no official information has been received regarding the withdrawal of support to the government so far so I can’t say anything now. Only the Vidhan Sabha Assembly decides whether the current Government has majority or not.  Moreover, as per rule, the Governor can summon the House and call for a floor test to prove whether the government has the numbers. Once the Governor's communication comes to us, the decision will be taken as per the situation. When the House is in session, it is the Speaker who can call for a floor test. But when the Assembly is not in session, the Governor’s residuary powers under Article 163 allow him to call for a floor test.

According to information, three MLAs have sent letters withdrawing their support from the government to the Governor. Have they sent such letters to you (Speaker)?

They may have sent such letters to the Governor. But I have not received any such letter so far.

The opposition says the Government has lost majority and either the Chief Minister should prove majority or resign on moral grounds. What would you say?

It is wrong to say that the Nayab Singh Saini led Government is in the minority. As per the latest information, the current government is in majority. The current situation is the same as it was two months ago in March when Saini had secured a majority in the House. A decision cannot be taken only on the opposition’s demand.

Jannayak Janata Party has announced its support to the Congress if it takes steps to bring down Nayab Saini Government. What would you say?

Parties may claim anything. But when issues come to the Assembly, I will take action accordingly. As a Panchkula MLA, I would like to say that Senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda seems to be in a hurry. The Lok Sabha election is on. One should wait till the results are declared. I am confident that the BJP will perform exceptionally well in this election.  

In Himachal Pradesh, three Independent MLAs had resigned but the speaker has not accepted their resignation yet. Your comment

I cannot comment on the Himachal Pradesh issue. The Speaker can examine whether a resignation was by free will. In Haryana, after Independent MLA and Haryana Minister Ranjit Singh Chautala resigned, I gave him adequate time to explain whether the resignation was given by free will or not. Finally, I have made a decision regarding his resignation within 40 days.