In a setback to the ruling BJP Government in Haryana amid the Lok Sabha elections, three Independent MLAs on Tuesday announced that they have withdrawn their support to the Nayab Singh Saini-led BJP government in the state. These three MLAs have also sent letters withdrawing their support from the government to the Governor.

Following the resignations of Independent MLA Ranjit Chautala and former chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar from the 90-member Haryana Assembly, the BJP now has only 40 MLAs out of 88. After the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) with 10 legislators withdrew their support in March, the BJP enjoyed the support of five Independent MLAs and the Haryana Lokhit Party legislator Gopal Kanda. So Chief Minister Saini led Government in Haryana now has the support of 43 out of 88 MLAs. The main opposition Congress has 30 MLAs while the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) has one.

Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda claimed that with the withdrawal of support by three independent MLAs, the BJP Government in Haryana has lost the majority. The Nayab Saini-led BJP Government is in a minority in Haryana. Hooda said that now the BJP government has lost the majority after the withdrawal of support from JJP and independents. Therefore, assembly elections should be conducted by immediately imposing President's rule in Haryana.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in Haryana slated on May 25 in all 10 Parliamentary seats in the state, the Congress on Tuesday got a major shot in the arm as three Independent legislators extended their support to the grand old party.

The legislators are Somveer Sangwan from Charkhi Dadri, Randhir Golan from Pundri, and Dharampal Gondar from Nilokheri. They withdrew their support from the BJP.

Responding to the development, senior Congress leader Hooda said the BJP government has lost majority after the withdrawal of support from the JJP and three Independents. "The Assembly elections should be conducted immediately by imposing President's Rule in Haryana because today not only just the public but also the people who voted and supported the BJP are unhappy with the policies of the government," he told the media persons in Rohtak.

The three legislators announced their support while addressing the media in the presence of Hooda and state unit Congress president Chaudhary Udaibhan. The three MLAs have sent letters withdrawing their support from the government to the Governor.

During the press conference, the Independent MLAs said in one voice that the public has tried BJP, and now there was no justification for giving an opportunity to it because every section is unhappy with unemployment, inflation, increasing crime, family ID, and property ID in this government.  They said every class including farmers, laborers, employees, traders, sarpanch, numberdars are agitating today. They added that they tried to warn the BJP on different occasions while they were in the government, but BJP did not give up its stubbornness.

The MLAs said now the public's expectations are only from Congress. There is a wave of Congress's INDIA alliance in the entire country including Haryana. They assured that all three of them will play their part to make the alliance win and ensure the defeat of BJP.

On this occasion, Hooda expressed his gratitude to the three MLAs for their support and said the MLAs have taken this decision keeping in mind the public sentiments. “Their right decision, taken at the right time, will definitely bear fruit. Congress's victory is certain in the Lok Sabha and upcoming assembly elections,” he said.

He further said, “BJP leaders and workers themselves are fed up with this government. This is the reason why many people are leaving BJP and joining Congress. Till now, more than 100 big leaders including 40 MLAs, former MLAs, MPs and former MPs have joined Congress from other parties in the last one and a half years.”

Haryana PCC president Chaudhary Udaibhan also welcomed the support of the three MLAs. He said often people leave the Opposition and go to the ruling party, but these MLAs have announced their decision to leave the ruling party, and support the opposition. “It is clear that these MLAs have come forward with the aim of supporting the struggle. Their decision will definitely strengthen the Congress. With the withdrawal of support by 3 MLAs and JJP's exit from the government, it is clear that a minority government is running the state. In such a situation, BJP has no right to remain in power. Government should face assembly elections,” he said.

 After Independent MLA Ranjit Chautala and former chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar resigned from the 90-member Haryana assembly, the BJP has 40 MLAs out of 88 and Saini had won the trust vote after becoming chief minister in March. He is fighting the Karnal assembly by-election on May 25.