Political Turmoil in Haryana: Chief Minister Resigns Amid Alliance Rift
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar tendered his resignation on Tuesday morning after meeting with Governor Bandaru Dattareya. The move, accompanied by the resignation of his entire cabinet, follows speculation of a fracture within the ruling BJP-JJP alliance regarding seat-sharing for the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
Both the BJP and the JJP, led by Dushyant Chautala, have announced their intentions to contest the forthcoming polls independently. In the 2019 elections, the BJP secured all 10 seats in the state, while the JJP, a newly formed party at the time, contested seven seats but garnered a notable vote share of 4.9 percent.
During the 2019 Assembly election, the JJP clinched 10 seats, crucial for the BJP, which fell short of a majority with 40 seats in the 90-member House. A post-poll agreement between the two parties resulted in the formation of the government.
Speculation is rife that Manohar Lal Khattar may vie for a Lok Sabha seat, possibly Karnal, presently held by the BJP’s Sanjay Bhatia. Conversely, sources suggest Bhatia might transition from Parliament to the Haryana Assembly to assume the role of Chief Minister.
Alternatively, there are murmurs of Khattar’s potential return as Chief Minister, leading a government backed by independent MLAs. This administration may feature two Deputy Chief Ministers from different communities, aligning with the BJP’s strategy to diversify representation ahead of the Lok Sabha election, akin to its approach in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh after the Assembly elections last November.
Reports indicate that five JJP MLAs—Jogi Ram Sihag, Ram Kumar Gautam, Ishwar Singh, Ramniwas, and Devinder Babli—could defect and join the BJP, possibly forming a breakaway faction to bolster the new BJP-led government.
