Ahead Of BJP's Haryana Floor Test, Ex-Ally's Whip Raises Eyebrows
NDTV
Ahead of this floor test, the BJP had claimed the support of 48 MLAs - its 41 plus the seven independent lawmakers; this is not including the five expected to join from the JJP.
The Jannayak Janta Party on Wednesday morning issued a three-line whip to its MLAs in the Haryana Assembly, ordering them to be absent from House proceedings for the day.
The MLAs were directed to miss a floor test meant to assess the majority status of the new Bharatiya Janata Party-led government. The whip has been seen by as illegal, as no party can stop participation in a democratic exercise; they can only direct votes on party lines.
Should the JJP MLAs - on paper there are 10, though there are reports that at least five will breakaway, form a new group, and join the BJP - follow the whip, it will bring down the majority mark in the 90-member House from 46 to 41, which is the BJP's current strength. A lowered majority mark will ensure the BJP passes; although even without that it has the numbers thanks to support from independents.
