BJP Forms New Government in Haryana as Chief Minister Khattar Resigns

In a major political development, Manohar Lal Khattar, the Chief Minister of Haryana, along with his cabinet members, submitted their resignations on Tuesday. This move was initiated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as they work towards forming a new government with independent candidates.

The BJP is expected to announce the successor of Khattar following a legislative party meeting currently underway at Haryana Niwas in Chandigarh. Union minister Arjun Munda and BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh are overseeing the transition.

The rupture in the BJP’s alliance with the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) after four and a half years is believed to be the primary catalyst for the resignations. The JJP, a creation of the split in the Chautala family from the Indian National Lok Dal, joined forces with the BJP post the last assembly election.

Disagreements over seat distribution for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections are at the core of the alliance’s strains, which have been building for months. The BJP’s decision to segment from the JJP is seen as a strategy to counter anti-incumbency and split Jat votes, one of the dominant voting blocs, with the Congress.

With all 5 independent MLAs in alignment with the BJP and Sirsa MLA Gopal Kanda from the Haryana Lokhit Party also pledging support, the BJP seems set to retain power in the state.

The new Chief Minister of Haryana, Nayab Singh Saini, a prominent BJP leader from Kurukshetra, has been sworn in following Khattar’s resignation. Saini enjoys backing from the PM and party leadership, indicating a shift in the state’s political landscape.