Chandigarh: Former Haryana Deputy Chief Minister and erstwhile BJP ally, Dushyant Chautala, has reached out to the Governor, urging a floor test in the state assembly. This call for action from Mr. Chautala arises amidst a political storm following the withdrawal of support by three independent MLAs and escalating tensions within the ruling BJP coalition.
In his letter addressed to Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, Mr. Chautala highlighted the recent resignations and withdrawal of support, which have left the ruling BJP alliance precariously close to a minority status.
“I respectfully urge you to instruct the appropriate authority to promptly convene a floor test to ascertain the government’s majority,” stated Mr. Chautala in his correspondence with the Governor.
The demand for a floor test arises following the recent defection of three Independent MLAs from the BJP camp to the Congress faction. On Tuesday, MLAs Sombir Sangwan (representing Dadri), Randhir Singh Gollen (from Pundri), and Dharampal Gonder (of Nilokheri) announced their decision to withdraw support for the BJP-led administration during a press conference in Rohtak. They were accompanied by Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, and Udai Bhan, the state Congress chief.
Mr. Chautala, leader of the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) and former BJP ally, did not shy away from expressing his party’s readiness to back an alternative government, hinting at a potential alliance with the Congress.
“The government that came into power two months ago is now in the minority, as two MLAs who supported them – one from the BJP and the other an Independent MLA – have resigned. Additionally, three Independent MLAs who were backing them have withdrawn their support and communicated the same to the Governor. The JJP has unequivocally stated that if a No Confidence Motion is tabled against this government, we will lend our support to the motion,” Mr. Chautala affirmed.
“We have also communicated our concerns to the Governor. It is now incumbent upon Congress to take the necessary steps, including requesting a Floor Test. The Governor holds the authority to initiate a Floor Test to ascertain the government’s strength, and if it lacks a majority, to promptly implement President’s Rule in the state,” he elaborated.
Haryana Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta stated on Tuesday that the Nayab Singh Saini-led government had successfully passed a trust vote on March 13. According to Mr. Gupta, a no-confidence motion can only be introduced six months after a trust vote.
“It’s a matter of procedure,” he remarked.
The Haryana Assembly, comprising 90 seats, currently houses 88 members, with the majority threshold set at 45. The BJP holds 40 MLAs, supported by three out of six independent candidates, leaving the ruling coalition two MLAs short of a majority. The Congress party boasts 30 MLAs, with its numbers bolstered by three independent candidates. If the JJP extends its support, the Congress’s MLAs would increase to 43. Consequently, two MLAs remain unaligned – one from the Haryana Lokhit Party and the other from the INLD.
In related news, Aftab Ahmed, Congress leader and deputy leader of opposition in the Haryana assembly has requested an audience with the Governor.
