Khattar elected as BJP legislative party leader, set to become Haryana CM for second term

Union Minister and senior BJP leader, Ravishankar Prasad, here formally announced, "ML Khattar has been elected as the BJP legislative party leader."

After the BJP, which won 40 seats, failed to get the majority in the Haryana assembly polls, it has stitched a deal with the JJP which has 10 seats under its belt.

Khattar, who will have JJP chief Dushyant Chautala as his deputy in the government, will next meet Governor Satyadev Narayan Arya and stake claim to form the government. As per media reports, the swearing-in ceremony might take place on Sunday.

"We are aimed at developing Haryana," Prasad said standing beside Khattar who is an elected MLA from Karnal.

BJP-JJP to form government

Holding a press conference on Friday night, BJP national president Amit Shah said, "Keeping in mind the mandate of the people, leaders of BJP and JJP have decided that the two parties will form a government in Haryana together. The Chief Minister will be from the BJP and the deputy chief minister will be from JJP."

"It was needed to be with the BJP to provide a stable government in Haryana," said Chautala after stitching the deal with BJP. 

The JJP had earlier said it would support any party- be it BJP or Congress- which fulfills their demands for Haryana.

No Gopal Kanda support

Ravi Shankar Prasad on Saturday cleared that the BJP will not take support from controversial Sirsa MLA Gopal Kanda. "We are not taking any support from Gopal Kanda," said the Union Minister.

After Haryana elected a hung Assembly, with BJP falling short of six MLAs from the majority mark, the Independents had decided to support BJP form the government.

However, the saffron party had to face intense criticism after an image of Haryana Lokhit Party leader Kanda, who is reportedly accused in nine criminal cases, including rape and abatement to suicide, being flown to Delhi for negotiating with BJP top brass in Delhi, for government formation.

Also senior BJP leader Uma Bharti had warned her own party over Kanda's support.

The party then dropped Kanda despite his offer of "unconditional" support.

Meanwhile, the eight Independent candidates have said they would support BJP and were hopeful they will be "adjusted" in the ministry of the new state government, reports said.

Image Credit: Manohar Lal Khattar Twitter