© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Senior Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) leader and ex-Haryana deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala Wednesday called Nayab Singh Saini “a weak Chief Minister” because of whom, he said, three Independent MLAs withdrew their support to the BJP government and aligned with the Congress. He also put the ball in Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s court, promising to support the Leader of Opposition (LoP) if he went for toppling the BJP government. In an interview with The Indian Express, Dushyant spoke on a range of issues related to the prevailing political crisis in the state. Excerpts:
Your views on the prevailing situation in Haryana?
The BJP is in turmoil, with Haryana’s political scenario changing within the last 24 hours. Three Independent MLAs withdrew support from the ruling party and announced their support for the Opposition. It shows how weak the BJP has become. And it is because of the weakness of Chief Minister Nayab Saini. When I was part of the government with Manohar Lal Khattar, all Independent MLAs remained in support. We ran the government for about 4.5 years without any problem. If three MLAs withdraw support within 50 days of the new government’s formation, it is a matter of serious concern. This government is in minority, and the CM should resign on moral grounds.
I have said that I will support the Congress “from outside” if the Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda initiates steps to topple the government. He is the LoP and Congress is the largest Opposition party. He has to approach the Governor and move forward. As part of the Opposition, we’ll stand with them. Today, this government does not have a majority, which is why the CM should resign. We shall also be writing to the Governor and do our bit, but Bhupinder Hooda has to initiate it. We’ll be part of a collective Opposition and vote against the present government.
Bhupinder Hooda says if Dushyant is serious, he should first parade all his MLAs in front of the Governor. Would you do so?
Why should I do so? He (Hooda) is the LoP, he should initiate it. I’ll write to the Governor and seek imposition of President’s rule. If Hooda doesn’t take the initiative, it will only be because of the ED and CBI cases he is facing.
What are you doing about your own MLAs, who are canvassing for other parties – be it BJP or Congress?
All the MLAs are currently with the JJP. A whip was issued (during the March 13 no-confidence motion) and none of them voted, even though some were there in the House, who walked out and did not vote. JJP’s MLAs can’t violate the whip while being a member of the party. Three of my MLAs have been found on stage with other political parties. The party has issued them show cause notices for anti-party activities. We have their visuals, videos and posters too. They have to reply to the notices. There is a procedure that is followed in such matters. Neither of them has replied so far. Once they do, and if their replies are found unsatisfactory, we shall write to the Vidhan Sabha Speaker and seek their disqualification.
If they want to canvass or go to other political parties, they will first have to resign from the Vidhan Sabha. The party shall take whatever action is required on these MLAs. I again reiterate that if a floor test happens, the party (JJP) will issue a whip and I will show you all 10 JJP MLAs standing in a queue and voting against the present government. If you have contested and won on a party symbol, you will have to follow the party line. People who voted for you are watching. If you don’t want to continue, you will have to resign from the Vidhan Sabha membership and move on. This Vidhan Sabha’s tenure is till October 28, and all JJP MLAs will have to follow the party’s line till then.
Why didn’t your MLAs vote in the last no-confidence motion? Can another no-confidence motion be moved?
The previous no-confidence motion was moved against the previous government (led by Khattar). It lapsed when the new government was formed. Thus, a no-confidence motion can be moved against the current government. That day (March 13), when the motion was moved, there was a JJP rally. That’s why the whip was issued, asking MLAs to be present at the rally. But I can assure you that if there is a floor test now, each of the JJP MLA shall vote according to the party whip, and ensure the government’s fall.
Why do you say the CM is “weak”?
After the first Cabinet meeting, the new CM said that he has prepared a 94-day action plan. He made it clear then that he is the CM for only 94 days. That was when it became clear how weak an administrator he is. I have been touring the state continuously. The crop is awaiting procurement. It has been since over 22 days when farmers haven’t been paid their dues for their mustard crop, and 17 days for their wheat crop. It shows a failure of monitoring.
Why didn’t any issue arise in the previous four years? We had created an automated system. Procurement was prompt, farmers used to get their payment within 48 hours. As of today, there are nearly 10 lakh wheat bags lying unattended at Uchana Mandi. This shows how poor the monitoring is. That is why farmers are facing troubles. Winds of change are blowing. People of Haryana will definitely vote for the voice of Haryana (JJP) and ensure it gets raised in Parliament.
How do you see BJP’s prospects in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls?
They used to talk of “400 paar (beyond 400)”, but have stopped talking about that for the last 12-13 days. Now, they are talking about mangalsutra, and the two people who are talking about mangalsutra are the ones in whose families there is none who wears a mangalsutra.
