Sunday, May 19

“BJP Is Going, Congress Is Coming”: Says Hooda As 3 Independent MLAs Withdraw Support To Saini Government

Edited by Aishwarya Krishnan
“BJP Is Going, Congress Is Coming”: Says Hooda As 3 Independent MLAs Withdraw BJP Support (image-X/BhupinderShooda)

In a major blow to the BJP in Haryana, three independent MLAs withdrew their support for Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini’s government and extended it to Congress on Tuesday. This leaves the BJP government in the state losing its majority, just two weeks before the Lok Sabha elections scheduled in the state.

The three independent MLAs – Somveer Sangwan (Charkhi Dadri), Randhir Golan (Pundri), and Dharampal Gondar (Nilokheri) – announced their decision in the presence of former Congress chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and state Congress chief Udai Bhan in Rohtak.

State CM Saini accused Congress of caring only about their ambitions and not about the needs of the people.

“The Nayab Singh Saini government is now a minority government. Saini should tender his resignation, as he does not have the right to stay even for a minute,” Bhan said, as quoted by the Times of India. He also called for the assembly polls to be held immediately.

Gondar said that they had decided to support the BJP state government until Manohar Lal Khattar was in power. “In the interest of the farmers, we withdraw the support to the government,” he said, as quoted by Mint.

Golan cited that the decision was also influenced by the rate of unemployment and inflation, which is at its “highest.” He added that their decision was not “opportunism” but a reflection of the voice of the public. The MLA also pointed out that the third independent MLA, Sangwan, had opposed the state government during the 2020-21 farmers’ protests.

Sharing pictures with the MLAs, Congress’ Hooda wrote, “The right decision taken at the right time, keeping in mind the public sentiment, will definitely yield results. Today, not only the public but also those who voted for and supported the BJP are unhappy with the policies of the government.” Hooda also stated that the president’s rule should be imposed in the state, with assembly elections conducted immediately.

“BJP is gone, Congress is coming,” Hooda added.

Following the resignation of two MLAs – former BJP CM Manohar Lal Khattar (Karnal) and Ranjit Singh Chautala (Hisar) – earlier to contest in the general elections on a BJP ticket, the total strength of the House is 88, out of which 30 MLAs are from Congress. With the recent support the grand old party gained from the three independent MLAs, the number has risen to 33.

Meanwhile, the BJP government has a strength of 40 MLAs and the support of two independent MLAs, four JJP MLAs, and one MLA of the Haryana Lokhit Party. Saini’s media secretary, Praveen Attrey, said that the BJP government has the support of 47 MLAs as opposed to the majority of 45.

Saini was sworn in as Haryana’s chief minister after Khattar resigned along with his cabinet on March 12.