'Haryana BJP govt has lost majority', says Congress as 3 Independent MLAs withdraw support

NEW DELHI: In a setback to the ruling BJP in Haryana amid the Lok Sabha elections, three Independent MLAs on Tuesday announced they have withdrawn their support to the Nayab Singh Saini-led government in the state.

Reacting to the development, Saini said: "I have received this information. Maybe Congress is engaged in fulfilling some people's wishes now. Congress has nothing to do with the wishes of the public."

The three MLAs -- Sombir Sangwan, Randhir Gollen and Dharampal Gonder -- said they have decided to extend support to the Congress during the elections.

They made the announcement at a press conference in presence of former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and State congress chief Udai Bhan.

"We are withdrawing support to the government. We are extending our support to the Congress," Gonder said.

Speaking at the presser, Bhan said: "The present strength of (90-member) Haryana assembly is 88, of which the BJP has 40 members. The BJP government earlier had support of JJP MLAs and Independents, but JJP had also withdrawn support and now Independents are also leaving."

"Nayab Singh Saini government is now a minority government. Saini should tender his resignation as he does not have right to stay even for a minute," said Bhan.

The assembly polls should be held immediately, he said.

Stating that the situation in the Haryana is against the BJP and "change is definite", Hooda said: "The BJP government has lost the majority. Among the list of 48 MLAs they had given, few MLAs have resigned because they are fighting the Lok Sabha election and some independent MLAs withdrew their support to BJP and have extended their support to Congress. So the minority MLAs have no right."

What the independent MLAs said
Independent MLA Dharam Pal Gondher: At the time when they needed our support to form the government we were called again & again...We had decided that till the time Manoharlal Khattar was in power, we would support. We are sad that he is no more in power...In the interest of the farmers we withdraw the support from the government.

Independent MLA Randhir Golan: For the last 4.5 years, we extended support to the BJP. Today unemployment and inflation are at their highest. Looking at this, we have withdrawn our support (from the govt.).

(With inputs from agencies)