Dushyant Chautala Says No to BJP, Open to INDIA Alliance

In a surprising turn of events, Dushyant Chautala, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana and leader of the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), has announced that he will not align with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in future elections. 

In an interview with a media agency, Chautala expressed his disappointment with the BJP, stating, "I won't go with the BJP now. We supported them for four and a half years, but we didn't get respect." This statement marks a significant shift in Haryana's political alliances, as the JJP had been a key coalition partner with the BJP in the state government.

Chautala's JJP had joined hands with the BJP to form a coalition government in Haryana after the 2019 assembly elections. However, recent disagreements seem to have strained this partnership. Chautala mentioned that his party had requested an increase in old-age pensions to 5,100 rupees and a fair seat-sharing agreement, but these demands were not met. 

In a surprising twist, Chautala expressed openness to joining the INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) coalition, which includes the Congress party. He stated, "Let's see if we have the numbers and if our party is given priority, then why not?" This potential realignment could significantly impact the political equations in Haryana for the upcoming 2024 elections.

Responding to Chautala's comments, BJP leader and former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar dismissed the statements, saying, "Who invited him?" Khattar expressed confidence that the BJP would form the government in Haryana for a third consecutive term under the leadership of current Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.

Chautala also touched upon other issues in his interview. He supported the idea of a caste census, saying it would provide clarity on the country's demographic makeup. He also criticized the current state government led by Nayab Singh Saini, mentioning increased crime rates as one of the issues to be addressed.

The JJP leader didn't shy away from addressing the recent defections from his party. Six JJP MLAs have left the party in recent days. Chautala responded philosophically, quoting a couplet about fair-weather friends and expressing hope that the public would give his party strength in the upcoming elections.

As Haryana moves closer to the 2024 elections, these shifting alliances and political statements are likely to reshape the state's political landscape. The potential break between the BJP and JJP, coupled with Chautala's openness to the INDIA alliance, could lead to new coalition possibilities in the state.

The Haryana Story will continue to monitor these developments closely, bringing you the latest updates on the changing political scenario in Haryana. Stay tuned for more news and analysis on the Haryana elections 2024.