Political crisis grips Haryana; JJP leader Dushyant Chautala writes to Governor, seeks 'immediate' floor test

The demand for a floor test comes after the resignation of independent MLAs.

New Delhi: As the Haryana power crisis loomed, Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) leader Dushyant Chautala wrote to Governor Bandaru Dattatreya seeking a floor-test for the Nayab Saini government, even as reports of a split in his party emerged.

The Congress, on the other hand, sought time from the government to urge him to impose President’s rule. 

On Wednesday, the JJP had announced its support to the Congress if it was going to make a play for forming the government.

“Considering the gravity of the current circumstances and the urgent need to reinstate stability and uphold democratic norms in Haryana, I respectfully implore Your Excellency to invoke your constitutional prerogative…to direct the appropriate authority to immediately call for floor test to determine majority of government,” Chautala’s letter to the Governor read. 

“We have written to the governor seeking a floor test. The current strength of the House is 88 and the government has to reach the majority mark of 45. His Excellency the Governor has to get the floor test conducted. We shall see how many MLAs support the government or Opposition,” Chautala said. 

However, Chautala was staring at an internal rift in his own party since reports suggested that a few MLAs from the JJP met former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar at Minister of State Mahipal Dhanda’s house in Panipat. Four JJP MLA were part of the meeting. In all, JJP has 10 MLAs. 

“Several JJP MLAs are in BJP’s contact... there is no danger to the government,” Khattar told reporters. 

Earlier in the day, Congress leaders including deputy CLP leader Aftab Ahmad and chief whip BB Batra sought time with the Governor. Party leaders said that they will seek President’s rule in the state as the BJP does not have a majority in the house.

On Tuesday, three independent MLAs – Sombir Sangwan (Dadri), Randhir Singh Gollen (Pundri) and Dharampal Gonder (Nilokheri) – withdrew support from the BJP government and announced that they will back the Congress in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

In the 90-member house, BJP has 43 MLAs, short of the 46 needed to retain power. The Congress has 30 MLAs while the JJP has 10. Assembly elections in the state were scheduled to be held in October this year.