Bhupinder Hooda's Bold Move: Congress Demands Dissolution of Haryana Assembly

In a significant development, the Haryana Congress, led by former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has announced plans to meet the Governor and demand the dissolution of the Haryana Legislative Assembly, citing concerns over potential horse-trading during a floor test. The political situation in Haryana has taken an interesting turn as the Congress party, under the leadership of former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has decided to demand the dissolution of the Haryana Legislative Assembly. The party has expressed its intention to meet with the Governor, Bandaru Dattatreya, on June 20 to submit a memorandum requesting fresh elections in the state. 

According to Deputy Congress Legislative Party leader Aftab Ahmed, the Congress delegation, comprising Hooda, state Congress president Udai Bhan, and four other MLAs, will urge the Governor to dissolve the Assembly. The party has made it clear that it does not want a floor test, citing fears of potential horse-trading, which could tarnish the state's reputation.

This move comes after the Congress had previously submitted a memorandum to the Governor on May 11, requesting the dismissal of the minority BJP government and holding elections under the President's rule. 

The current strength of the Haryana Legislative Assembly stands at 87 MLAs, following the death of Badshahpur MLA Rakesh Daultabad, the resignation of Power Minister and BJP's Hisar Lok Sabha candidate Ranjit Singh, and the resignation of Mullana MLA Varun Chaudhary after his election to the Ambala Lok Sabha seat. 

The BJP holds 41 MLAs and, with the support of the Haryana Lokhit Party's lone MLA Gopal Kanda and an Independent, Nayan Pal Rawat, their tally reaches 43. On the other hand, the Opposition consists of 29 Congress MLAs, 10 Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) MLAs, one Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) MLA, and three Independents supporting the Congress, along with another Independent, Balraj Kundu, opposing the BJP, bringing their total to 44. 

JJP's Dushyant Chautala and INLD's Abhay Chautala have also written to the Governor, requesting the convening of an Assembly session for a floor test and the imposition of the President's rule if the government fails to prove a majority. However, the situation within the JJP appears to be fluid, with two of its MLAs, Ram Niwas Surjakhera and Jogi Ram Sihag, expressing support for the BJP during the Lok Sabha elections. 

While Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has claimed to have the numbers on the BJP's side, Congress chief whip BB Batra has stated that officially, the BJP is in the minority with only 43 MLAs. If the two JJP MLAs vote for the BJP, they could face disqualification from the House under the anti-defection law, as the JJP has expressed no confidence in the government. 

Bhupinder Singh Hooda has firmly voiced his stance, stating, "We want the dissolution of the House and elections under the President's rule. We don't want a floor test, as horse-trading could take place, which brings a bad name to the state." 

The political landscape in Haryana remains tense as the Congress party's bold move to demand fresh elections has added a new dimension to the ongoing power struggle in the state.