No more an ally, BJP targets Dushyant, hints at probe into depts he held ‘if complaint received’

The opposition Congress, however, termed it “a fixed match between the BJP and the JJP aimed at cutting Congress’s votes”.

Political circles in Haryana were abuzz with the talks that the BJP might launch a probe into the departments held by Dushyant, a former chief minister.

Talking to mediapersons in Panchkula Sunday late evening, Saini said, “Dushyant Chautala needs to introspect. He should realise what he did and what he did not. His legislators had spoken against him in the Vidhan Sabha. We did not say it. He should understand that his own MLAs, who contested on his party’s symbol and got elected, levelled corruption accusations against him. Our government, be it Manohar Lal Khattar government or be it today’s government that I am leading, is transparent, so there cannot be a compromise with corruption. Whosoever is found involved in corruption, this government will take due action.”

Asked whether his government will launch a probe against Dushyant, Saini said, “His own legislators are standing against him. If we receive any application [against Dushyant], we will definitely get it inquired into.”

Speaking in the same vein to a media query in Rewari district’s Kosli Monday afternoon, Khattar said, “Whoever is guilty shall face the action, but if anybody is not guilty, he/she need not be scared.”

Although Khattar did not name Dushyant, he said, “Not against any particular person, but whenever accusations are made against anybody, we, first of all, satisfy the complainant. We also investigate into the allegations, and the guilty is not spared and the innocent is not touched.”

In the 2019 Assembly polls, BJP fell short of a majority after winning 40 out of the 90 seats in Haryana. Dushyant Chautala-led JJP won 10 seats. Both BJP and JJP entered into a post-poll alliance and formed a government in Haryana. Dushyant bagged the post of deputy chief minister. From October 2019 to March 2024, the coalition government functioned in Haryana. But last year, a rift in the coalition became more visible and leaders from both sides started making statements against each other’s party.

Even after parting ways, former chief minister Dushyant Chautala did not make any remarks against Khattar or the BJP. But, for the past few days, his younger brother and JJP youth leader Digvijay has been targeting both BJP and Khattar.

In Bhiwani Anaj Mandi on Saturday, Digvijay claimed that during Dushyant’s tenure as Deputy CM, farmers used to get money for their crops within 72 hours of the procurement. Comparing Dushyant’s tenure with the functioning of the government now, Digvijay added, “It’s the same wine in a different bottle. Only the face has changed. Khattar is the one who is running the government. This is a truth. It is at the behest of Khattar that the state is being looted.

That’s why, this deaf and dumb government should be uprooted by the people of Haryana. In the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, BJP shall be confined to barely one or two seats. The dictatorial manner with which these people put Arvind Kejriwal and others behind bars, people will throw them out of power. Also, in October polls in Haryana, BJP will get back to their old record of barely a few seats.”

For the past few days, both Dushyant and Digvijay have been strongly criticising the BJP government, accusing it of not redressing farmers’ grievances of delayed procurement of crops and non-payment of compensation for the crop loss. Both have also threatened if the BJP government does not take note of the farmers’ grievances, the JJP will launch a state-wide protest against it.

Talking about BJP’s senior leaders’ claims, INLD’s MLA from Ellenabad and Dushyant’s uncle Abhay Chautala on Monday told mediapersons, “The Chief Minister is saying action will be taken if a complaint is received. The inquiries that the government conducted into scams such as registration of sale deeds and smuggling/ sale of liquor [during the Covid-19 period] have already been completed. If the Chief Minister has guts, he should make both inquiry reports public and take action against those found guilty.”

Taking a dig at both BJP and JJP, Abhay Chautala said, “Both are venting their frustrations at each other.”

Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda told The Indian Express, “Right from day 1, there was a pact between BJP and JJP to part ways so that they cut into the vote share [of Congress party]. The people of Haryana will never vote for such vote-cutters. In Haryana, there is a direct contest only between the Congress and the BJP. As far as statements now being made against JJP or Dushyant, we call in our Haryanvi language — Noora Kushti (a fixed match)”.