BJP made history by forming its first ever government in Haryana. The Modi factor, as is generally believed, was not the sole factor responsible for the otherwise marginalized Haryana BJP’s ascendancy to power. The Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda played a big role in its ride to power as its chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh had asked his large following to vote for the saffron party. After the party’s victory its senior leaders went to the Dera chief to thank him for his support. Some of our self-styled godmen who face even rape and murder charges enjoy the patronage of politicians especially those aspiring to ride to power.

New regimes usually assume office under the influence of benevolent stars. Haryana’s Manohar Lal Khattar-led BJP government is no exception. To recall Amitabh Bachan’s signal call he used to give to contestants of his “Kaun Benaga Croreparti” programme, “the time (for the Khattar government) starts now”.

In this era of people’s roused expectations ignited by rulers populist promises it does not take long for new governments to come under the shadow of malevolent stars as they fail to fulfill their promises. Although its 100 days in office is too short a period to pass any judgment on Khattar government’s performance, yet negative signs have started emerging about its functioning.

First time MLA, Khattar did not have governing experience when anointed as chief minister. With his simple and austere nature he has a gentlemanly persona. He started well by promising to provide an era of change with good governance and graft–free system. But his government’s functioning has so far been uninspiring. Some of its actions have caused resentment in some sections of people. For instance, the very first decision to reverse its predecessor Hooda government’s decision to raise the retirement age of government employees from 58 to 60 years evoked strong protests from employees. Similarly reversal of some other decisions, particularly of reducing the quantum of old-age pension from Rs.500 pm granted by the Hooda cabinet, to Rs.200 has disenchanted the beneficiaries. These steps have earned the Khattar government the stigma of a U-turn government.

On unexpectedly occupying high seats of power, the novices are easily taken for granted by the babus. This is also happening in the case of new chief minister. His over-dependence on bureaucrats has already started generating irritants. Signs of fissures have also emerged in his cabinet. Without naming anybody his Health minister Anil Vij tweeted that some people are obstructing his work. “The minister is doing his work. The chief minister is already facing resistance on certain issues from three senior ministers of his cabinet. But they won’t succeed and I will continue to work in my style.” Vij is unhappy because he feels he has not been given a free hand in his department. Khattar, however, said “nobody is being barred from doing their work. There are no fissures in the government and the matter is being unnecessarily blown out of proportion.”

Government’s supporters perhaps believe in what a wise man had said “Discontent is the first necessity of progress”.

Organizationally weak in Haryana, BJP’s political clout in the state and also its government’s longtime stability will depend on its ability to build a strong organizational set-up after its on-going membership drive ends.

Amidst the above mentioned negative developments, the Khattar government can draw solace from the fact that the opposition parties in the state have been in sleeping mode. The INLD with its 19 MLAs is in disarray. With its crowd puller former chief minister Om Parkash Chautala and son Ajay Chautala undergoing ten years imprisonment in the JBT Teachers recruitment scam case, demoralization has started setting in the party. Its political future is linked to the outcome of the more serious case of disproportionate assets pending in the court against Chautala and both his sons Ajay and Abhay.

The state of the Congress which had won 15 seats is no better. It has virtually been in hibernation after the polls. Rahul Gandhi’s juvenile style of functioning has cost the party heavily. The faction-ridden Haryana Congress has also not remained unaffected. What added to its misfortunes is that ignoring Hooda, Rahul appointed his detractors as the state party chief and the CLP leader. He ignored the fact that Hooda is the state’s tallest Congress leader who has the state-wide popular base and enjoys the support of 14 of the party’s 15 MLAs. Rahul appointees PCC chief Ashok Tanwar and CLP leader Kiran Chaudhry have increasingly been getting isolated in the party. On the other hand, Hooda has now become active and is trying to rejuvenate the party. The central leadership’s decision on the future of the Haryana party affairs will be influenced by the outcome of Hooda’s efforts to rejuvenate the party.

Kuldeep Bishnoi’s Haryana Janhit Congress is suffering from seemingly incurable ailments. Its popular mass base is presently confined to the two Assembly constituencies from where he and his wife were elected as MLAs. The party organization is in shambles. How and whether he will be able to restore the organizational health will be keenly watched. With the opposition parties in such poor shape, the stability of the Khattar government is not at stake at the moment. (IPA Service)