Haryana Lokhit Party MLA Gopal Kanda on Friday announced his party’s and the Independents’ unconditional support for the BJP in Haryana, in a shot in the arm to the BJP’s efforts to form a government again in the State.
Engaged in a stiff electoral battle with the Congress, the BJP, with 40 seats, had fallen six short of the majority figure in the 90-member Assembly. The Congress won 31 seats and the Jannayak Janta Party only 10.
Speaking to mediapersons in Delhi, Mr. Kanda said he, along with the Independents, had decided to extend “unconditional” support to the BJP in the State. He said that the country was on the path to development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he, along with the other Independents, had decided that the development work being carried in the Haryana under the BJP must continue.
Facing charges of abetment to suicide in connection with the death of an airhostess in 2012, Mr. Kanda said all allegations against him were baseless and he would emerge clean. He said that his family was associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh since 1926.
Outgoing Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who was present in Delhi’s Haryana Bhawan to discuss government formation, said his party was soon going to form the government. Rania Independent MLA Ranjit Singh, who is the brother of former Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, was also present in Haryana Bhawan and announced his unconditional support for the BJP. At least three of the seven Independents were present in Haryana Bhawan.
Five of the seven Independents among the winners in Haryana are BJP rebels and contested on their own after they were denied tickets. All the five were expected to support the BJP.
The BJP leaders were also in talks with Badshahpur Independent MLA Rakesh Daultabad, who defeated the BJP’s Manish Yadav to emerge victorious, said party sources. Mr. Daultabad had contested on the symbol of Indian National Lok Dal in 2014 and had lost.
Earlier, ex-Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda reiterated that the mandate was against the BJP and urged all Opposition parties and the Independents to come together to form a coalition government in the State. He said the mandate to the Independents was against the BJP and they must respect it.
