Haryana CM Khattar along with cabinet ministers resign

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and his cabinet ministers resigned from their designations amid speculations of tension within the ruling BJP and JJP.

According to the sources, the ruling Bhartiya Janta Party and Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) coalition have issues regarding seat distribution ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The cabinet consisted of 14 ministers, including Khattar and three members from the JJP led by Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala. All ministers have stepped down.

A new cabinet is expected to be sworn in at a ceremony later today at the governor's residence. The BJP has convened a meeting of its MLAs at Haryana Niwas, though there has been no official statement from the party.

Meanwhile, five JJP MLAs reportedly skipped a party meeting in New Delhi. Speculation abounds regarding the next steps, with some suggesting that Haryana BJP chief Nayab Saini may be appointed as the new chief minister, while Khattar may contest from the Karnal Lok Sabha seat.

Addressing reporters outside Haryana Niwas, former education minister Kanwar Pal confirmed Khattar will remain chief minister.  He clarified that the BJP-JJP alliance was solely for governing the state, dismissing any changes to Khattar's position.

Currently, the BJP holds 41 seats in the 90-member House, while the JJP has 10. Additionally, the ruling coalition enjoys support from six of seven independents. The Congress, the main opposition, holds 30 seats, while the Indian National Lok Dal and Haryana Lokhit Party have one seat each.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP swept all 10 seats in Haryana.

Reacting to the development, opposition party Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the confusion in Haryana which is evident in the split, shows that masses are unhappy about problems faced by farmers, young people, and wrestlers.

"It is time for change," Ramesh said.

In a post in Hindi on X, he said, "The chaos that we are seeing in Haryana is a result of pressure from farmers, youths and wrestlers and the same is going to happen in the country too."

Congress leader Kumari Selja also said that "it is time for change" and accused the BJP of betraying the youths of the country. The Congress will get them justice, she said.

(with PTI inputs)