Haryana political crisis: BJP's former ally JJP chief Dushyant Chautala writes to Governor for floor test

This comes after three independent MLAs withdrew their support from the ruling BJP-led coalition in the state, triggering a political crisis.

"I urge you to direct the appropriate authority to immediately call for a floor test to determine a majority of government," Chautala wrote in his letter to the Governor of Haryana Bandaru Dattatreya, reported NDTV.

Three MLAs pulled out their support from the government on Tuesday and made the announcement in a press conference in Rohtak, said media reports.

Sombir Sangwan (representing Dadri), Randhir Singh Gollen (from Pundri), and Dharampal Gonder (of Nilokheri) stated they wanted to leave the BJP administration in the presence of Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, and Udai Bhan, the state Congress chief.

Amid the development, Chautala stated clearly that his party was ready to align with an alternative regime, indicating a potential alliance with Congress.

"The government that was formed two months back is now in the minority because two of the MLAs who supported them - one from the BJP and the other an Independent MLA - have resigned. Three Independent MLAs who were supporting them have withdrawn their support and have written to the Governor. JJP has clearly said that if a No Confidence Motion is brought against this government, we will support the motion," Chautala was quoted as saying by NDTV.

"We have also written to the Governor about it. Now, Congress has to take this step (seeking a Floor Test). The Governor has the power to order a Floor Test to see if the Government has the strength and if it doesn't have the majority immediately implement President's Rule in the state," he added.

However, Haryana Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta said on Tuesday that a trust vote was won by the Nayab Singh Saini-led government on March 13 and a no-confidence vote could not be brought before six months elapsed after a trust vote.

The political equation

The Haryana Assembly has 90 seats with 88 members currently filling the seats. The majority mark is at 45. BJP has 40 MLAs and has the support of three out of the six independent MLAs, implying that it is short of two MLAs away from the majority.

The Congress party has only 30 MLAs and is likely to increase its numbers why three independent candidates.

If the JJP also backs the Congress, its tally would go up to 43 MLAs.

In the current scenario, there are two unaligned MLAs—one representing the Haryana Lokhit Party and the other from the INLD.

Meanwhile, Congress leader and deputy leader of opposition in the Haryana assembly Aftab Ahmed has requested an appointment with the state’s governor.