Political Turmoil in Haryana: Chief Minister Resigns Amidst Coalition Rift Ahead of Elections

Haryana’s Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar, tendered his resignation on Tuesday, just days ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. According to sources cited by News18, potential candidates from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the chief ministerial post include Nayab Saini and Sanjay Bhatia.

Amidst growing tensions between coalition partners, the BJP had scheduled a legislative party meeting in Chandigarh at 11:30 a.m., while Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala convened a meeting of the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) in Delhi.

Sources revealed that some JJP MLAs opted out of Chautala’s meeting and were allegedly in communication with the BJP. It was reported that at least four JJP MLAs were in contact with the BJP.

Earlier indications from sources suggested a brewing discord between the BJP and the JJP after Chautala met with BJP national president JP Nadda to discuss seat-sharing arrangements for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Chautala had also sought a meeting with Amit Shah, but Khattar’s cabinet resigned before this anticipated encounter. Allegedly, Chautala sought seats for the Lok Sabha polls, a request which the BJP appeared unwilling to accommodate.

The strained relationship between the BJP and the Chautala-led JJP further deteriorated due to their inability to reach a consensus on seat-sharing for the Lok Sabha elections. In the 2019 polls, the BJP secured all 10 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Now, in addition to the impending Lok Sabha elections, which might take place in a month or two, the term of the Haryana legislative assembly is also due to conclude on November 3. Assembly elections in the state could be held in October.

In the 2019 elections, the BJP fell short of the majority mark and subsequently formed a coalition government with Dushyant Chautala’s JJP. With the Haryana legislative assembly consisting of 90 members, a minimum of 46 seats is required for a majority. Presently, the BJP holds 41 MLAs and receives support from six independent MLAs. Additionally, Gopal Kanda’s Haryana Lokhit Party also backs the BJP.

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