News Brief
Kuldeep Negi
May 08, 2024, 08:33 AM | Updated 08:33 AM IST
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In a surprising twist in Haryana politics, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is facing a potential crisis as three independent MLAs withdrew their support from the BJP-led government, casting doubts on its majority in the state assembly.
The MLAs, Sombir Sangwan, Randhir Gollen, and Dharampal Gonder, declared their new allegiance to the Congress, and sought early state elections.
Despite the brewing turmoil, CM Saini remained unfazed, attributing the defection to Congress's manipulative tactics.
"When I heard about it, I knew that moment the Congress is trying to fulfil their wishes. Everyone has a wish," Saini said.
"But the people know. They know the Congress has got nothing to do with the wishes of people, but only with fulfilling their personal wishes," he said, NDTV reported.
Congress leader and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said the BJP has no right to continue in power in Haryana as the government is in minority now.
"Keeping in mind the sentiments of the public, the MLAs supported the Congress, thanks to all the three independents," Hooda said.
He claimed that even BJP's own supporters are disillusioned with the current administration.
"The BJP should immediately dissolve the government and face the assembly elections," the Congress leader added.
The announcement by the three MLAs was made at a press conference in Rohtak, in the presence of Hooda and state Congress chief Udai Bhan.
The MLAs cited issues related to farmers and public discontent as the reasons for shifting support.
Bhan highlighted the diminished strength of the BJP in the 90-member assembly, noting that with the loss of JJP and independent MLAs' support, the Saini government had become a minority.
"Nayab Singh Saini government is now a minority government. He should resign as he does not have the right to stay even for a minute," Bhan said.
Kuldeep is Senior Editor (Newsroom) at Swarajya. He tweets at @kaydnegi.