Demand for Khattar ouster getting shriller in BJP?

CHANDIGARH: The BJP high command will be under pressure to change the guard in Haryana in the wake of chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s failure to control the law and order situation in the state once again, after the last year’s Jat agitation.

His failure to prevent the build-up by Dera Sacha Sauda followers in Panchkula, which led to a large-scale violence on Friday, has again put a question mark on his capability and skills in deftly handling such situations.

While the large-scale arson and violence during the February 2016 Jat agitation had led to widespread criticism of the chief minister for not being able to control the situation, Friday’s episode will make the demand for his ouster shriller.

Though state BJP chief Subhash Barala has firmly stood by Khattar, his rivals within the party have enough fodder to gun for him.

The appointment of Khattar as the leader of the BJP legisla- ture group after the saffron party won the 2014 assembly elections in Haryana had surprised many. It had also effectively blocked the prospects of some of the more experienced aspirants for the chief minister’s chair. “These elements will now be gunning for Khattar,’’ said a party insider.

The first-time chief minister owes his ascendancy to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as well his proximity to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

His administrative inexperience had become apparent during the handling of the Jat quota agitation, but the Friday’s fiasco may cost him dearly.

ABHAY, TANWAR SLAM BJP GOVT

Meanwhile, leader of Opposition Abhay Chautala lambasted the BJP government for its failure to handle the situation and said “an evil eye has been cast” over the state, ever since the BJP came to power.

State Congress chief Ashok Tanwar demanded resignation of the chief minister for his failure.