As the Lok Sabha election season commences, the Haryana BJP government faces concerns with its minority status following a change in Chief Minister a few months ago. Three party MLAs have shifted their support to the Congress, resulting in the BJP losing its majority. Despite this, the government remains stable. A seismic event occurred in Haryana on May 7, prompting three opposition MLAs to withdraw their support from the BJP.
The dissenting MLAs are Randhir Golan, Dharampal Gondar, and Somveer Sangwan. During a press conference in Rohtak, the three MLAs, in the presence of former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and state Congress chief Uday Bhan, announced their withdrawal of support from the BJP government in favor of the Congress. Opposition MLA Gondar stated, "We are withdrawing our support from the government and backing the Congress due to various issues, including concerns of farmers."
Despite these developments, the BJP government in Haryana remains secure, as it still commands the support of 45 MLAs, comprising 40 MLAs and five affiliates. The withdrawal of support by the three MLAs does not pose an immediate risk of a Congress government takeover. The Congress currently has 30 MLAs, and even with the addition of the three defectors, the total remains at 33.
Further more, the JJP's 10 MLAs are not inclined to join the Congress at present, leaving the party short of a majority with only 43 members. Given that the government of Naib Singh Saini demonstrated its majority on March 13, there is no requirement for the BJP to prove its majority in the assembly.
The legislative rule prohibits a vote of confidence within six months of proving majority, which means such a vote cannot be demanded until September 13. The upcoming Lok Sabha elections further complicate the political landscape, with simultaneous voting in 25 Haryana districts. The dynamics in the Haryana Legislative Assembly, with 90 seats and a majority threshold of 46, hinge on strategic alliances and party support to maintain or challenge the government's stability.