BJP offering Ministerial berths to independent MLAs in Haryana to buy their support: Sources

After having failed to secure a majority in the 90-member Haryana assembly, BJP with the consent of Amit Shah has offered ministerial berths to the independent MLAs in lieu of their support; sources told NH.

Hectic negotiations were on in the national capital till the time of writing this news on Friday. As per a highly placed source, all seven independent MLAs along with the Haryana Lokhit Party (HLP) leader Gopal Kanda have agreed to support the BJP.

“In return, the BJP has offered ministerial berths. Controversial leader Gopal Kanda is the go-between,” said the source on condition of anonymity, adding that the “BJP could manage them easily as three out of them are BJP rebels. Naturally, they will support the saffron party.”

In a closely contested election, BJP emerged as the single largest party with 40 seats, it fell short of the halfway mark needed to form the government.

BJP needs the support of six MLAs only and that can be managed easily, feel Haryana watchers. However, the saffron party is leaving no stone unturned to lure JPP leader Dushyant Chautala.

As per media reports, though Dushyant has indicated that he may go with the Congress, there is a buzz that he may eventually join the saffron camp also.

“To sit in opposition benches for five years is not an easy task. JJP was not formed out of any ideological commitment or popular uprising but to demand a share in the power. It’s difficult to predict how long JJP will remain united,” quipped a Haryana watcher.

An offshoot of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), JPP has bagged 10 seats in its maiden election making Dushyant Chautala a key player in the state politics. According to observers, politically, Dushyant Chautala is close to the Congress but he may finally succumb to the pulls and pressures exerted by the BJP.