ML Khattar quits as BJP ends alliance with JJP: How numbers stack up in Haryana

File photo of ML Khattar

In an unexpected move, Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and his cabinet ministers on March 12 tendered their resignation to the governor amid reports of a split between the BJP-JJP alliance in the state.

The move also comes amid speculation that BJP may field Khattar for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, possibly from the Karnal constituency.

The BJP is now looking to form a new government with the support of Independent MLAs.

The party has also appointed Union minister Arjun Munda and general secretary Tarun Chugh as observers for Haryana to hold talks with MLAs and oversee the selection of the new chief minister.

How the numbers stack up in Haryana:

The BJP currently as 41 MLAs in the 90-member Haryana assembly. This is 5 short of the majority mark. JJP, meanwhile, has 10 MLAs.

Congress, which is the main opposition, has 30 MLAs and the Indian National Lok Dal and the Haryana Lokhit Party have one seat each.

So far, the BJP-JJP enjoyed the support of 6 or 7 Independent MLAs in the state.

BJP now claims that it has enough numbers to form a fresh government in Haryana even without the support of Dushyant Chautala-led party.

This means that the saffron party will need the support of at least 5 Independents to prove its majority.

As many as 6 Independents have reportedly expressed support for the BJP. Some TV reports claimed that a few JJP legislators are also in touch with the saffron party.