Big Daddy casino owner Gopal Kanda could be a crucial link in Haryana politics

NEW DELHI: Gopal Kanda of the Haryana Lokhit Party (HLP) and owner of the Big Daddy casino in Goa, who was till now supporting the BJP government in Haryana, could have a major role to play in Haryana politics in the next two weeks, given the political developments in the State.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar resigned as the state CM today, hours after the BJP alliance with the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) was called off. The JJP led by Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala had 10 MLAs in the Haryana Assembly.

Kanda is said to wield a lot of clout among several other MLAs and claimed that the BJP can win all 10 Lok Sabha seats from the state on its own. Sources hinted that there is a possibility that combined polls (Lok Sabha and State Assembly) could be held in the State in April-May this year.

Kanda also said that there would be another meeting with the Chief Minister during the day or maybe tomorrow, after which future course of action will be determined.

In the 90-member Haryana Assembly, the BJP has 41 MLAs. It also enjoys the support of 5 independent MLAs and the HLP MLA Gopal Kanda. Earlier, after meeting Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Independent MLA Nayan Pal Rawat on Tuesday claimed that the BJP-JJP alliance was at break point but some independent MLAs who support the ML Khattar government will ensure its survival.

CM Manohar Lal Khattar submitted his resignation to Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya and reports said the Governor accepted the resignations.

Visuals showed Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar reaching Haryana Niwas along with few senionr MLAs in Chandigarh on Tuesday. After leaving Raj Bhavan senior BJP Leader Kanwar Pal Gujjar said “CM and the cabinet ministers have resigned and the Governor has accepted the resignations.”

On being asked who will be the next Chief Minister Gujjar said ” The CM will continues to be the CM.” The legislative meeting of the party is likely to be held later in the day in which 41 MLAs of BJP will be present. Senior BJP leaders including Tarun Chugh, Union minister Arjun Munda and BJP’s Haryana in-charge Biplab Kumar Deb will also attend the meeting. The BJP leaders are also expected to meet the 5 independent MLAs and Gopal Kanda of the Haryana Lokhit Party (HLP) who are in support of the BJP government in Haryana.

(with inputs from ANI)