Former Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala has written to Governor Bandaru Dattatreya and sought a floor test after three Independents withdrew their support for the BJP government led by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.
The new government was formed in March after the BJP dumped its ties with the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), the party led by Chautala. Saini took office after Khattar resigned and was fielded from the Karnal parliamentary seat for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the state. The JJP is not supporting the Saini-led BJP government.
In a letter to the Governor on Wednesday, Chautala said the JJP was open to backing any other party for government formation.
The 90-member Haryana assembly at present has an effective strength of 88. The BJP has 40 MLAs, the Congress 30 and the JJP 10 in the House. The Indian National Lok Dal and the Haryana Lokhit Party have one member each. There are six Independents.
The BJP government has the support of two of the Independent legislators.
"Recent developments have unfolded with three of the six Independent MLAs who previously extended their support to the government in March, withdrawing their backing," Chautala said.
"Given these developments and the clear stance of my party, we are open to backing any other political party for government formation. It is evident that the government no longer commands a majority in the legislative assembly," he said.
He also demanded that President's Rule be imposed in Haryana if the BJP government was unable to prove its strength in the assembly.
"I urge you to immediately call for a floor test to determine the majority of the government. If the government fails to prove its majority, it is essential for you to fulfill your constitutional duty by imposing President's Rule in the state," he said.
