The BJP's former ally Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) on Wednesday said it is ready to help the Congress bring down the BJP Government in Haryana, a day after three Independent MLAs withdrew support to the ruling party.
Claiming that the BJP Government is reduced to a minority, the Congress, on its part, demanded the imposition of the President's rule and early Assembly elections in the State. However, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini asserted that his Government is not in any trouble. His predecessor and party colleague M L Khattar also claimed that many MLAs are in touch with the BJP and there is "nothing to worry ".
Independent MLAs Sombir Sangwan (Dadri), Randhir Singh Gollen (Pundri) and Dharampal Gonder (Nilokheri) withdrew support to the ruling BJP in Haryana on Tuesday and announced that they would back the Congress.
The fast-paced political developments in the State come at a time when Lok Sabha polls are just a fortnight away and Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in October.
Speaking to media in Hisar, JJP leader Dushyant Chautala said if a no-confidence motion is brought in the Assembly, they will vote against the Saini Government. "I want to tell Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda that going by the present numbers in the Assembly, when this Government is in a minority, if a step is taken that this government is brought down during (Lok Sabha) elections, then we will fully consider to support them in this from outside".
"Now, the Congress has to think whether they will take a step to bring down the BJP government," Chautala said.
Reacting to this, Congress leader Hooda said, "They should write to the Governor (that Government is in a minority)".
Dushyant Chautala also ruled out reviving his party's alliance with the BJP. The two parties had snapped ties in March. "I have made it quite clear that JJP will not go with BJP now," Chautala said and demanded that Saini should either prove majority or submit his resignation.
The 90-member Haryana Assembly at present has an effective strength of 88 with Karnal and Rania Assembly seats being vacant. The BJP has 40 MLAs, the Congress 30 and the JJP 10 in the House. INLD and Haryana Lokhit Party has one member. Independents are six. The Government has the support of two of the Independent legislators.
Independent MLA Nayan Pal Rawat said he had given unconditional support to the BJP in 2019 and it is continuing even now. "The Government is not in any trouble, it is working strongly," Chief Minister Saini told reporters at Sirsa while replying to queries on the withdrawal of support.
However, Hooda said the Saini Government is in a minority and it has no moral right to stay in power.
INLD's lone MLA Abhay Singh Chautala said either the Government should prove it has a majority or else "Governor's rule should be imposed".
Hitting out at the Congress, Saini said the Opposition party's actions are only aimed at fulfilling the personal aspirations of some people. But the people of Haryana will not let the Congress' designs succeed, the chief minister said, adding the entire country is witnessing the "misdeeds" of the Opposition party.
Later in Karnal, Saini said Congress has been rejected by various sections and is sinking. About the three Independent MLAs, Saini said, "They are able legislators. How did they fall into the (Congress) trap.... Four days ago I called them and spoke to them," said Saini.
Former Chief Minister ML Khattar downplayed the developments."During election season, who is going where is not going to have much impact. Many MLAs are in touch with us also, so no one should worry about this," he told reporters in Karnal.
In Chandigarh, while replying to a question, Haryana Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta said the Saini Government had won the trust vote on March 13. "How can we say that the Government is in a minority? It is intact and running as it was earlier," he told reporters.
Asked if a no-confidence motion can be brought against the Government, the Speaker said, "Usually, when a no-confidence motion is brought, another one can only be brought six months after that. It is a technical matter."
Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan said the party will write to the Governor stating that the Saini Government is in a minority and that it should be dismissed, the President's Rule imposed in the state and fresh polls announced.
