Chandigarh. In a blow to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Haryana amid the Lok Sabha elections, three independent MLAs on Tuesday announced that they have withdrawn their support to the Nayab Singh Saini-led government in the state. Three MLAs – Sombir Sangwan, Randhir Golan and Dharampal Gondar also said that they have decided to support Congress during the elections. After this development, former Chief Minister of the state Bhupendra Singh Hooda said that the government is now in minority, hence President’s rule should be imposed in the state.
After the resignation of former CM Manohar Lal Khattar and Azad Ranjit Chautala, there are currently 88 MLAs in the 90-member Haryana Assembly, while Nayab Saini-led BJP will have to touch the figure of 45 for majority. The government currently has the support of 43 MLAs, which includes 40 from BJP, 2 from Azad, and 1 MLA from Haryana Lokhit Party, Gopal Kanda.
However, despite being in minority, there is no crisis on the government at present because no-confidence motion was brought in Haryana Assembly in March 2024 and this means that no-confidence motion cannot be brought for the next 6 months, whereas in October itself, Haryana Assembly Term is ending.
Earlier, the three independent MLAs made this announcement in a press conference held in Rohtak in the presence of former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupendra Singh Hooda and state Congress chief Uday Bhan. Gondar said, “We are withdrawing support from the government. We are with Congress now.” He said, “We have taken this decision on various issues including issues related to farmers.”
“Three independent MLAs – Sombir Sangwan, Randhir Golan and Dharampal Gondar have withdrawn their support from the BJP-led government and have decided to extend their support to the Congress,” Uday Bhan said at a press conference.
Uday Bhan said, “I also want to say that the current strength of the (90-member) Haryana Assembly is 88, out of which BJP has 40 members. “The BJP-led government earlier had the support of Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) MLAs and independent MLAs, but JJP had also withdrawn its support and now independents are also leaving.”
He said, “The government led by Naib Singh Saini is now in minority. Chief Minister Saini should tender his resignation, because he does not have the right to remain in office even for a minute.” He said that assembly elections should be held in the state as soon as possible.
Tags: BJP, congress
FIRST PUBLISHED: May 7, 2024, 19:33 IST