BJP-JJP alliance insult to people''s mandate: Hooda

Sunit Dhawan
Tribune News Service
Rohtak, October 26

Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda called Jannayak Janata Party’s alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party an “insult” to people’s mandate—the Congress veteran's first response to the recent political developments.   

“I want the state to have a stable government that runs for five years. However, the differences between the BJP and the JJP shows that they won’t not be able to complete the full term,” Hooda told the press hours after the two parties staked claim to form the government.

He also said that he had made an offer to JJP’s Dushyant Chautala because of the “similarities between the manifestos of the two parties”, but the latter went with the BJP instead.

“Only he (Dushyant) can tell why he rejected my offer, but supporting the BJP will cost him dearly as the JJP got votes by contesting against the BJP. It is an insult to people’s feelings,” he said.

He also said that the Congress would play the role of a constructive opposition party.

The BJP and the JJP have announced they would ally to form the state government after the recent assembly elections in Haryana threw up a fratcured mandate. The incumbent BJP found itself with 41 seats—five fewer that the required number in the 90-member assembly. The JJP meanwhile threw up a surprise—the 10-month-old party snagged 10 seats, making both Congress and the BJP take turns to woo it.