Cong in a no-win situation in Haryana

The Congress dilemma on Haryana stems from increased factionalism and divergent views of the State leaders on the repurcussions of withdrawing support to Bansi Lal at this juncture. While some Congress leaders say that snapping ties with Bansi Lal is needed at the earliest, a majority opinion favours a status quo to avoid further embarrassment.

Sources said at least seven of the 12 Congress legislators from Haryana belonging to both Birender Singh and Bhupinder Singh Hooda factions met Sonia Gandhi recently and demanded that Bansi Lal should not be dictatedterms by the Congress. “It will be difficult for us to explain to the people why we withdrew support within 21 days of extending it,” said a senior party leader. “Let us not commit mistakes after mistakes,” he said.

Sources said although the Congress was interested in dissolution of the State legislature and holding simultaneous polls along with the general elections in the State, it was unsure of the Bansi Lal government falling after the Congress support was withdrawn.

In the 90-member Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Bansi Lal has 35 seats while he managed the support of nine Independents during the trial of strength on the floor of the Assembly on June 22. The Congress has 12 members while the INDL of Om Prakash Chautala has 22 and BJP 11. Bansi Lal is short of two votes to prove his majority, which even the Congress leaders believe will not be difficult.

The Congress also faces another dilemma on opting for withdrawal of support to the Bansi Lal government. Since the party has not given formal support tothe Haryana Vikas Party, it feels unless the Governor takes suo motu cognizance of their announcement (for withdrawal of support), Bansi Lal could continue as Chief Minister.

However, the Congress high command is disturbed over the strong divisions the controversial decision to support Bansi Lal has caused within the PCC. At present the 12-member Congress Legislature Party is divided into three camps.