An independent MLA from Hassanpur, Gaya Lal, was responsible for the origin of the phrase in 1967 that went on to define Haryana politics, ?Aya Ram Gaya Ram? ever after. Although the stories about him are exaggerated ? that he changed political loyalties several times in a day, for instance ? the state has become infamous for its politicians who have unabashedly changed loyalties and indulged in horsetrading over the years.
This unfortunate trend has not been visible in recent times, however, largely because of the decisive verdict given by voters. But the outcome of the Assembly polls this time has again made Haryana a fertile ground for instability.
The Congress, led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda, took the plunge six months before the expiry of its term following an overwhelming victory in the recent Lok Sabha elections when the party bagged nine of the ten seats. The gamble did not pay off and the party has been left struggling for even a bare majority. Its tally of 40 is far less than the strength of 67 it enjoyed in the outgoing House.
Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), headed by former chief minister Om Prakash Chautala, has managed to win 32 seats, including a seat bagged by its alliance partner, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal). Chautala has publicly stated that his party, along with the others in the opposition, would defeat the Congress government on the floor of the House.
His threat cannot be taken lightly by the Congress which has obtained the support of all the seven independents in the new assembly and is actively engaged in talks with the Haryana Janhit Congress, led by Kuldeep Bishnoi, son of former chief minister Bhajan Lal.
Bhajan Lal, who is known to call himself a Phd in politics, is a pastmaster in causing splits. He was denied the chief ministership after the 2005 elections when the mantle was passed on to Hooda. Bhajan Lal has been nursing this grievance which led to the formation of the Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) by his son.
Bhajan Lal was elected MP in the recent Lok Sabha elections ?the only seat which did not go to the Congress. His son, Kuldeep Bishnoi, who is now heading the party, attempted to put pressure on the Congress to sacrifice Hooda if it wanted his party?s support. However, with the Congress roping in all the seven independents to form government, Bishnoi has watered down his demands.
The problems for the new government will start immediately. Neither Chautala nor Bhajan Lal are expected to let it have an easy time. Though they have crossed swords in the past, they might come together to defeat a common foe.
The two parties together, with the help of some of the independents, four BJP MLAs and the lone BSP member may pose a serious threat to the Congress.
To make matters more vexed for the Congress, half a dozen senior Congress leaders are vying to step into Hooda?s shoes sooner than later. This time, Hooda has been anointed CM again, but there was a concerted move against him by Congress dissidents, many of whom blamed him for the party?s comparatively poor performance in the Assembly polls.