Split Looms Over Haryana's JJP as War of Words Intensifies Between Top Leaders and Rebels

The Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) in Haryana is staring at a potential split as the war of words between the party leadership and a group of 'rebel' MLAs intensifies. Five JJP MLAs have formed a separate group and are reportedly getting closer to the BJP government in the state, after the BJP-JJP alliance broke off in March. 

The rebel MLAs have openly expressed their lack of faith in the "dictatorial" leadership of Dushyant Chautala, who served as the Deputy Chief Minister in the previous BJP-JJP coalition government. Tohana MLA Devender Babli, one of the rebels, stated that the MLAs have lost confidence in Chautala's leadership and may even elect a new leader after holding a meeting. 

"Dushyant Chautala's leadership has become dictatorial, and the MLAs have lost faith in it. We will hold a meeting and could even elect a new leader," Babli said, adding that Chautala should check his political ground before making any "absurd statements" against the rebel group. 

The JJP leadership has hit back at the rebels as Chief Whip Amarjeet Dhanda accused Babli of making statements out of "political greed" and losing his "mental balance." Dhanda defended Chautala's leadership and advised Babli to be mindful of his own political standing.

The rebel MLAs are exploring various options to counter the JJP leadership, including engineering a split in the party with the support of seven out of the 10 JJP MLAs, resigning as MLAs to bail out the Nayab Singh Saini-led government in case of a floor test, or fighting a legal and legislative battle if the JJP seeks to terminate their membership from the Assembly. 

However, the rebel MLAs face a significant challenge in the form of the whip that the party can issue during a floor test for the minority Saini government. Defying the whip could lead to disqualification as members of the state Assembly.

Meanwhile, four JJP MLAs met former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in Panipat on Friday, further fueling speculation about their potential alliance with the BJP. This move comes after Dushyant Chautala wrote a letter to the Governor, demanding a floor test or the imposition of President's rule in Haryana in the wake of the Saini government being reduced to a minority after the withdrawal of support by three Independent MLAs. 

As the power tussle within the JJP intensifies, the party faces the risk of a split, which could have significant implications for the political landscape in Haryana. The rebel MLAs' actions and the JJP leadership's response in the coming days will determine the party's future course.