Ind, JJPlegislators in touch with Congress, claims Selja

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 14

With farmers’ protests picking up steam by the day, politics is beginning to heat up in the state. State Congress chief Kumari Selja today claimed several Independent MLAs supporting the state government and those of the JJP, BJP’s alliance partner, were in touch with the party.

“Farmers of this agricultural state are protesting on the Delhi borders for the repeal of the three new farm laws. Several MLAs are keeping tabs on the situation and are in talks with us. Many Independent MLAs supporting the government and those of the BJP’s alliance partner are in touch with us,” Selja told The Tribune.

When asked whether or not the Congress was making efforts to topple the state government, Selja said: “Whenever a situation demands, a vacuum is always filled by some political party.”

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, however, rubbished Selja’s claims and said everyone knew who was in touch with whom.

“There is no threat to my government. Those who claim otherwise, better keep a watch on their own MLAs,” Khattar said today.

The BJP has 40 MLAs in the 90-member Assembly, while its alliance partner JJP has 10 legislators. The Congress’s strength in the House is 31. The House has seven Independents.

Of the 10 JJP legislators, eight had attended a meeting called by Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala hours before his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday.

At least three JJP MLAs and two Independents — Somvir Sangwan from Charkhi Dadri and Balraj Kundu from Meham — have come out in support of farmers. Of the other five Independents, four had a meeting with Khattar earlier this week. The fifth MLA, Nayan Pal Rawat, could not make it because he was out of the city.