JJP Loses 4 MLAs Ahead of Haryana Polls

The political landscape in Haryana is witnessing a dramatic shift as the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) faces a severe crisis just days after the announcement of Assembly poll dates. In a span of just 48 hours, four JJP MLAs have resigned from their party positions, dealing a significant blow to the party's strength and morale.  

The Mass Resignations

The exodus began on Friday when former minister and Uklana MLA Anoop Dhanak resigned, citing personal reasons. The situation escalated rapidly on Saturday, with three more MLAs following suit:

1. Ramkaran Kala (Shahabad) 

2. Ishwar Singh (Guhla) 

3. Devender Singh Babli (Tohana)

Adding to the party's woes, two other JJP MLAs - Ram Niwas Surjakhera (Narwana) and Jogi Ram Sihag (Barwala) - have openly declared their support for BJP candidates in the Lok Sabha polls. This move prompted former Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala to seek their disqualification from the Speaker in May.

Remaining Loyal MLAs 

With this mass  resignations, the JJP is now left with only three loyal MLAs: 

1. Dushyant Chautala (Uchana Kalan) 

2. Naina Chautala (Badhra) - Dushyant's mother 

3. Amarjeet Dhanda (Julana)

This is a stark contrast to the party's position after the 2019 polls when it boasted 10 MLAs in the Assembly. 

Reasons for Departure and Future Plans

The departing MLAs have cited various reasons for their exit:

1. Ramkaran Kala: Hinted at joining Congress, stating, "All sections of society wanted me to join the Congress. I will soon hold a meeting with my workers and join the Congress." 

2. Ishwar Singh: Expressed dissatisfaction with the party's leadership and working style, saying, "We joined the JJP in 2019, but it no longer upholds the principles we believed in." 

3. Devender Singh Babli: Noted changing circumstances, stating, "Five years ago when I was with the Congress, the circumstances were different. Now, after five years, the situation has changed."

The Narnaund Factor

While not officially resigned, JJP's Narnaund MLA Ram Kumar Gautam has been a vocal critic of Dushyant Chautala in the Assembly. On August 10, he announced his intention to contest the upcoming elections, but not on a JJP ticket, further weakening the party's position.

Dushyant Chautala's Response

In a recent interview with The Tribune, Dushyant Chautala humorously addressed the issue of defections, saying, "We should have named our party TTP — Tau Training Party. We train people, and then, they flee to national parties. It has been happening since Devi Lal's time."

Looking Ahead

As the Haryana Assembly elections approach, the JJP finds itself in a precarious position. The mass exodus of MLAs raises questions about the party's future and its ability to maintain relevance in Haryana's political landscape. 

The coming weeks will be crucial for the JJP as it attempts to regroup and strategize for the upcoming elections. Whether the party can overcome this setback and retain its influence in Haryana politics remains to be seen. As for the departing MLAs, their political futures hang in the balance as they seek new alliances and opportunities in rival parties.