Khattar, Dushyant to be sworn in on Deepavali

CHANDIGARH: Manohar Lal Khattar is all set to head a new government in Haryana with JJP leader Dushyant Chautala as his deputy after the governor on Saturday invited him to lead the coalition which also has the support of seven independents. Khattar, Dushyant and some ministers will be sworn-in at 2:15 pm at the Haryana Raj Bhavan on Sunday. The day saw fast-paced developments with 65-year-old Khattar unanimously elected leader of the BJP’s legislative party in Haryana after which the BJP along with the support of the JJP and seven independents staked claim before Governor Satyadeo Narain Arya to form the government.

Haryana Deputy Chief Minister-designate Dushyant Chautala is like a child and his support to the BJP government is unconditional, newly elected Independent legislator and Dushyant’s grand uncle Ranjit Singh Chautala said on Saturday.

Ranjit Singh is the brother of the jailed Om Prakash Chautala, the grandfather of Dushyant Chautala, and has estranged relations with the Chautala family.

“Dushyant is like a child. The

parents never feel bad if their children are with them,” he told the media after the BJP led by Manohar Lal Khattar and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) chief Dushyant Chautala met Governor

Satyadeo Narain Arya here to stake claim for government formation in Haryana.

Seven independent legislators, including Singh, were also present on the occasion.

Singh is among the frontrunners for a berth in the new Khattar cabinet. He added that he has extended unconditional support to the BJP. He was among the first persons to announce his support for the BJP.

Dushyant Chautala, a business administration graduate from the California State University, parted ways with the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) in December 2018 after a bitter vertical split in the party and the Chautala family.

Former MP and Dushyant’s father, Ajay Chautala, is the elder son of four-time Chief Minister and INLD President Om Prakash Chautala.

The INLD, which ruled the state the last time from 2000 to 2004, was divided owing to differences between Ajay Chautala and his brother Abhay Chautala. Their father remained with the younger son.