Chautala calls on Amit Shah, Khattar to head Haryana Govt
The BJP joined hands with Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) led by Dushyant Chautala on Friday night to form a “stable” coalition Government in Haryana conceding to the JJP’s demand for the post of Deputy Chief Minister.
The BJP’s decision to win over Chautala underlines its quest to placate Jats, a dominant community in the State who are believed to have voted mostly against the saffron party in the recent polls, to ensure a smooth run of its Government.
After a long meeting with Chautala, who called on the Home Minister, BJP president Amit Shah announced that the Chief Minister will be from his party and the Deputy Chief Minister from the JJP.
The meeting came after the JJP leader during the day maintained that neither the BJP or the Congress was an “untouchable” and he would stress for the acceptance of a common minimum programme for governance.
However, Chautala later said, “It was important for the BJP and JJP to come together to give a stable Government to Haryana. I would like to thank Amit Shah ji and Nadda ji.”
On his part, Shah said, “Accepting the mandate by the people of Haryana, leaders of both parties (BJP-JJP) have decided to form the Govt together in Haryana. CM will be from the BJP & Deputy CM will be from the JJP.”
Chautala, who emerged as a kingmaker after a fractured mandate in the Haryana Assembly elections, was on elected floor leader of the JJP with 10 MLAs on Friday. He is likely to be Deputy CM.
Addressing the media on the occasion, he said his party would offer support to whosoever commits support to JJP’s poll plank of reserving 75 per cent jobs to “Haryanavis”, ensures old age pension in the State and agrees to a common minimum programme.
To a question, he said neither the BJP nor the Congress was untouchable for him and he would be ready to work with anyone to install a Stable Government in the State. This was seen as a clear hint that he would be ready to embrace the saffron camp sooner than later. Five hours later, he was at the residence of the BJP chief.
Chautala met his father Ajay Chautala, who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail, before taking a final decision on the future course of action.
Earlier in the day, five Independent legislators — Dharampal Gondan, Nayanpal Rawat, Sombir Sangwan, Rakesh Daulatabad and Randheer Golan — met BJP working president Nadda and extended their support to the saffron party, BJP leader Jawahar Yadav said.
“These Independent MLAs reached JP Nadda’s house with an intention to extend support to the BJP to form a Government,” he said.
After meeting Nadda, showing his letter of support to the BJP, Sangwan said he had extended his unconditional support to the saffron party.
Besides these five Independent MLAs, Ranjeet Chautala also extended his support to the BJP. He met both Khattar and Nadda.
BJP leaders are confident that seven Independent MLAs and INLD leader Abhay Chautala will back the party’s claim to form Government. Besides, Haryana Lokhit Party’s Gopal Kanda has also extended “unconditional support” to the BJP.
Khattar is likely to be elected the BJP legislative party leader in a meeting on Saturday and will then stake claim before the Governor to form the Government.