Power Play in Haryana: Manohar Lal Khattar Claims BJP's Support from JJP MLAs

Amidst the escalating political turmoil in Haryana, former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has stoked the flames by asserting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has the backing of at least six out of the ten Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) MLAs. This claim comes as a fresh twist in the ongoing power struggle between the ruling coalition and the opposition, which has been amplified by the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. 

Khattar's statement directly contradicts the claims made by JJP leader Dushyant Chautala, who had earlier sought a floor test in the Assembly, alleging that the BJP-led government no longer holds a majority. In a letter to the Haryana Governor, Bandaru Dattatreya, Chautala had claimed that his party does not support the current government headed by Chief Minister Nayab Saini and is open to supporting any party except the BJP.

The political crisis in the state has been further exacerbated by the withdrawal of support from three independent MLAs – Sombir Sangwan (Dadri), Randhir Singh Gollen (Pundri), and Dharampal Gonder (Nilokheri) – who have announced their intention to back the Congress party instead. 

Addressing the media while campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections in Karnal district, Khattar asserted, "I believe that six JJP [Jannayak Janta Party] MLAs are with us." He further alleged that the Congress party is uncertain about the loyalty of its own MLAs, stating, "It would have been better had they [Opposition] not raised the issue. Now, when they have raised it, we are saying let them parade their MLAs [to prove whether they have the numbers on their side]."

Khattar, who is the BJP's candidate from Karnal, added, "And if they have the numbers, then a floor test will also be held." However, he claimed that the Congress is apprehensive about holding a floor test, fearing that its MLAs might not show up.

On the other hand, Jan Nayak Janta Party chief Ajay Singh Chautala reaffirmed his party's stance, stating that they are ready to support the Congress to topple the state government. Addressing the BJP's allegations about a majority of JJP MLAs not being with the party, Chautala emphasized, "They [MLAs] cannot go outside the party whip. If they violate the whip, then they will lose their [Assembly] membership." 

The current political crisis in Haryana has added another layer of complexity to the state's dynamics, just weeks before the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for May 25. With the majority mark in the 90-member Assembly standing at 45, the Saini-led government currently has only 43 members after the withdrawal of support from the three independents. The BJP holds 40 seats and has the support of two independents and Haryana Lokhit Party MLA Gopal Kanda, while the Congress has 30 MLAs and the backing of three independents.

As the power struggle intensifies, all eyes remain fixed on the unfolding political drama in Haryana, where allegiances and loyalties seem to be shifting rapidly, potentially reshaping the state's political landscape.