Though there is still a year left before Haryana goes to polls for the Assembly elections, upheaval in political spheres is ramping up. Observers are looking closely at the ongoing tug-of-war between the BJP and the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) pertaining to their existing alliance.
Four independent MLAs met BJP state in-charge Biplab Deb on Wednesday while another legislator met the leader in Delhi on Friday. After meeting with the legislators, Deb held a meeting with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar pertaining to the matter as well. Independent MLA Ranjit Singh, the current Electricity Minister is slated to meet BJP’s Haryana in-charge on Saturday.
These meetings have given rise to a new wave of speculations across Haryana’s political corridors. There has been a stir in the JJP camp in the wake of the independent legislators’ evident support for its current but
begrudging ally.
There are seven independent MLAs in Haryana, of which six have extended support to the ruling BJP-led government. The list of the MLAs includes Randhir Golan, Rakesh Daulatabad, Sombir Sangwan, Dharmapal Gondar, Nayanpal Rawat and Ranjit Singh from Pundri, Badshahpur, from Dadri, Nilokheri, Prithala and Ranian.
As of now, Balral Kundu- who managed to win a seat in the last assembly polls- is the only independent candidate not to publicly support the ruling party. Regional legislators such as Gopal Kanda from the Haryana Lokhit Party (HLP) have also supported the BJP from the beginning.
Deputy Chief Minister and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala in response said that the alliance between the two parties was not anyone’s compulsion as it was formed in a bid to give the state a stable government in 2019. On the other hand, BJP veteran Chaudhary Birender Singh said that the party is not going to get any major benefit from the alliance requiring the party to quit the same.
Additionally, independent MLA Sombir Sangwan recently said that he had a word with Deb and suggested that the BJP break off its alliance with the JJP, as it is likely to “cause harm” to the party in the run-up to the polls.
Political experts are of the opinion that several Independents will be vying for a Ministerial post if the current alliance comes to an end. For instance, Sangwan, who has publicly been against the alliance recently told media persons that he would “wholeheartedly fulfill” any responsibility that the government gives him. MLA Kanda is also believed to be among the running for a post in the government. Kanda recently stated that all independent MLAs “are firmly standing” with the BJP and that the party does not need an alliance with the JJP.