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Image source: Deccan Herald
The political landscape in Haryana is in upheaval as Nayab Singh Saini’s government faces a crisis following the withdrawal of support by three independent MLAs. This setback occurs shortly after the BJP terminated its alliance with Dushyant Chautala’s Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) and replaced Manohar Lal Khattar with Saini as chief minister. These developments coincide with the challenges the BJP is encountering in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections
Congress Revival: The Changing Tides of Haryana Politics.
Image source: Times of India
The political dynamics are shifting as the Congress, which came close to unseating the BJP in the 2019 assembly elections by securing 30 seats against the BJP’s 40, is now experiencing a resurgence in momentum following the independents’ declaration of intent to destabilize the Nayab Saini government.
While Dushyant Chautala asserts that he commands the support of 10 MLAs from the JJP, six of them have signaled their disassociation from his party. There’s uncertainty surrounding the allegiance of these MLAs, even for Dushyant himself, particularly in the context of a possible floor test. Notably, two of them have openly backed BJP candidates in the Lok Sabha elections, and at least three have reportedly met with Khattar, fueling speculation about their support for the existing state government.
The Haryana assembly, comprising 90 members, now stands at 88 following the resignation of an independent MLA and former CM Khattar’s decision to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Karnal. The current distribution of seats is as follows: BJP with 40 MLAs, Congress with 30, JJP with 10, INLD with 1, Gopal Kanda’s Haryana Lokhit Party (HLP) with 1, and 7 independents. With only 43 MLAs backing the Nayab Saini government, it is evident that it has transitioned into a minority administration.
The Congress and JJP have appealed to the governor for intervention. Bhupinder Singh Hooda, as the opposition leader, has sought a meeting with the governor to submit a memorandum outlining the present political scenario and has advocated for the imposition of President’s Rule. Meanwhile, Dushyant Chautala, in his communication, clarified that his party does not endorse the existing government and is willing to support any alternative political entity to establish a new administration. He has called for a floor test to ascertain the incumbent government’s majority.
Abhay Chautala, the leader of INLD, has called for the imposition of President’s Rule in the state if the BJP is unable to demonstrate its majority in the legislative assembly.
Nayab Saini’s Confidence Amidst Political Turmoil
Image source: The Economic Times
Nayab Saini, the Chief Minister of Haryana, appears unwavering in his confidence despite the hurdles. He points to the vote of confidence he secured just a month ago as evidence of his steadfastness. Saini has raised doubts about the timing of Dushyant’s actions and has brushed off his apprehensions as merely stemming from election-related pressures.
The Role of Protocols and Governor’s Authority in Haryana Politics
Image source: the fact news
For the time being, the current BJP government appears to be on stable ground. According to established protocols, a no-confidence motion cannot be initiated against a government within six months of the previous one. Given that the Haryana BJP government faced a no-trust motion in February, it is currently ineligible for another such challenge. However, legal scholars note that there is no explicit rule preventing the introduction of a motion for a floor test in the legislative assembly. In the present circumstances, the governor’s role becomes pivotal, as they have the authority to convene the House for a floor test.
The Constitution empowers the governor to summon, prorogue, and dissolve the state legislative assembly, and the Supreme Court has underscored the governor’s constitutional duty to act with impartiality and prudence in such matters.
Bandaru Dattatreya, the governor of Haryana, hails from Andhra Pradesh and has a background as an RSS pracharak until 1989 before joining the BJP. He has held ministerial positions in both the Vajpayee and Modi administrations and has been elected as an MP four times. Initially appointed as the governor of Himachal Pradesh in 2019, he later assumed the governorship of Haryana in 2021.
