Dushyant Chautala, a former Haryana Deputy Chief Minister and BJP supporter, has written to the Governor asking a floor test in the state parliament. Mr Chautala’s decision comes amid political turmoil caused by the loss of support from three independent MLAs and rising tensions within the ruling BJP alliance.
In a letter to Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, Mr Chautala stated that recent resignations and withdrawals of support had placed the ruling BJP alliance on the verge of becoming a minority.
“I urge you to direct the appropriate authority to immediately call for a floor test to determine the majority of government,” said Mr Chautala in his letter to the Governor.
The need for a floor test derives from the recent transfer of three Independent MLAs from the BJP party to the Congress side. During a news conference in Rohtak on Tuesday, MLAs Sombir Sangwan (representing Dadri), Randhir Singh Gollen (from Pundri), and Dharampal Gonder (of Nilokheri) announced their decision to withdraw support from the BJP administration. They were accompanied by Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the Opposition Leader in the Assembly, and Udai Bhan, the state Congress head.
Mr Chautala, leader of the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), a former BJP ally, did not mince words while stating his party’s willingness to support an alternative administration, indicating a possible collaboration with the Congress.
“The government formed two months ago is now in a minority because two of its supporters, one from the BJP and the other an Independent MLA, have resigned.” Three Independent MLAs who were previously backing them have withdrew their support and written to the Governor. JJP has clearly stated that if a No Confidence Motion is filed against this administration, we would support it,” Mr Chautala added.
“We have also written to the Governor about this. Congress must now take this step (seeking a floor test). The Governor has the authority to call a Floor Test to determine if the government has the necessary strength, and if it does not, he can immediately install President’s Rule in the state,” he continued.
Haryana Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta announced on Tuesday that the Nayab Singh Saini-led administration won a trust vote on March 13. According to Mr. Gupta, a no-confidence vote may only be held six months following a trust vote.
“It is a technical matter,” he explained.
The Haryana Assembly has 90 seats and is presently inhabited by 88 members, with 45 making up the majority. The BJP has 40 MLAs and three out of six independent candidates; hence, the government coalition is short of two MLAs to achieve a majority. The Congress party has 30 MLAs, including three independent candidates. If the JJP lends its support, the Congress will have 43 MLAs. This scenario results in two unaligned MLAs: one from the Haryana Lokhit Party and the other from the INLD.
Aftab Ahmed, a Congress lawmaker and deputy leader of the opposition in the Haryana parliament, has requested time to meet with the governor.
