Responding to Dushyant Chautala’s call for a floor test following the withdrawal of support from three independent MLAs to Nayab Saini’s BJP-led government, former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar stated on Thursday that the opposition’s estimations lack clarity, and he doesn’t anticipate a motion of no-confidence being proposed in the near future. Khattar asserted that conducting a floor test wouldn’t affect the BJP government significantly, citing the support of numerous JJP MLAs for the BJP.
“The opposition is doing vague calculations. During the floor test, if they can retain even 23 of their MLAs, it will be a big deal… I don’t see any no-confidence motion being moved anytime soon, but if any such situation arises, we will have a floor test… Many JJP MLAs have given support to BJP. This is what I’m saying, they need to think beyond what meets the eye,” he said.
On Thursday, Dushyant Chautala, former Haryana Deputy Chief Minister and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) leader, penned a letter to Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, urging a floor test. This request follows the withdrawal of support from three Independent MLAs—Randhir Golan from Pundri, Dharmpal Gonder from Nilokheri, and Sombir Singh Sangwan from Charkhi Dadri—from the Nayab Saini government on May 7, all of whom have opted to back the Congress.
On Wednesday, the Congress called for President’s rule and fresh elections in Haryana after these Independent MLAs withdrew their support from Nayab Saini’s BJP government and pledged allegiance to their party.
These events unfolded amidst the Lok Sabha elections and within two months of Nayab Singh Saini taking charge as Chief Minister, succeeding Manohar Lal Khattar.
In the 90-member House, the BJP holds 39 seats, Congress 30, Jan Nayak Janata Party 10, Haryana Lokhit Party (HLP) 1, and Indian National Lok Dal 1, along with seven Independents. Initially with 41 MLAs, the BJP’s tally reduced to 39 after two MLAs resigned from Karnal and Rania seats. Previously, six out of seven Independent MLAs supported the BJP, but with three withdrawing their support, the BJP currently has backing from three Independents and one HLP MLA, totaling 43 MLAs.
Regarding the state’s 10 Lok Sabha seats, they are scheduled for polling on May 25.