Published 21:08 IST, October 25th 2019
CONFIRMED: BJP & JJP to form Haryana Govt; JJP to get Dy CM post
As the poll result of Haryana gave a fractured mandate on Thursday, BJP president Amit Shah on Friday said that BJP and JJP will form the next Haryana govt
As the poll result of Haryana gave a fractured mandate on Thursday, BJP President Amit Shah on Friday said that BJP and JJP will form the next Haryana government; he also mentioned that while the State's Chief Minister will be from BJP, JJP will get the Deputy CM post. Addressing a press briefing at his residence, along with BJP working president JP Nadda and BJP Haryana in-charge Anil Jain, BJP Haryana Chief Subhash Barala, Union Minister Anurag Thakur, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, and JJP's Dushyant Chautala, Shah said that JJP will get the Deputy CM post but did not mention Chautala's name.
"Thanking the people of Haryana for its mandate, I inform you that BJP and JJP will form the next government in the state. JJP and many independents have supported us. In the next government, the Chief Minister will be of BJP and Deputy CM will be from JJP," Amit Shah said.
Controversy around Gopal Kanda
Portraying himself as the 'kingmaker' for BJP in Haryana, independent MLA Gopal Kanda on Friday morning offered unconditional support to the saffron party. Speaking to news agency ANI, he said that he has not demanded any ministerial berth for his support to the party. Kanda, whose father was part of RSS, said that he wished to ally with BJP because of PM Modi's developmental vision. While BJP's top leadership remained tight-lipped about Kanda's support and party's decision to ally with him, senior leader Uma Bharti warned that the party should stand by its principles.
Gopal Kanda is a former Haryana minister who was accused of abetting suicide of a young air hostess who worked for his aviation company in 2012. Notably, he was part of the Hooda cabinet and is believed to be among those who made Hooda the CM in 2009. Notably, the then BJP MP Anil Vij, who is now a Haryana cabinet minister, asked the then Congress government “Why don’t you expel him?” -- on the floor of the house. Even as Amit Shah has said that independent MLAs are supporting the BJP, it remains to be seen if the saffron party has sought Gopal Kanda's offer.
Dushyant Chautala keeps door open
Earlier in the day, Chautala issued a press briefing after his party's national executive meet and said that his party is open to allying with anyone who backs their manifesto issues. He said that party executives will now talk to Congress and BJP's concerned people and make the decisions. He also clarified that JJP will be an active participant in the alliance and will not support any party from outside.
JPP the kingmaker?
Just 10 months old Jannanayak Janta Party, that was formed under the aegis of Dushyant Chautala after family feud in INLD, became the third political force in Haryana's fractured mandate winning 10 seats. As the result came in on Thursday, both the BJP and Congress reportedly tried to rope in the new Chautala of Haryana in order to form the next government. There were also reports of Dushyant Chautala demanding Chief Ministerial berth. However, dismissing all speculations, the JJP leader said that decision will be taken after meeting party leaders and members on Friday.
Poll results in Haryana
The final results of the Haryana Assembly Elections saw seemingly invincible BJP winning 40 seats. While the Congress sort of made a comeback winning 31 seats. While the newly formed Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) under the leadership of Dushyant Chautala won 10 seats, others including Haryana Lokhit Party (HLP) candidate Gopal Kanda won 9 seats in the 90-seat assembly of the state.
Updated 21:55 IST, October 25th 2019