INLD demands probe into legislators switching sides

The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), the main opposition party in Haryana, Friday demanded a probe into Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) legislators switching sides and supporting the Congress, violating the anti-defection law.

"We demand an independent probe into the incident of five MLAs of the HJC suddenly coming out in support of the Congress. If anything is found wrong or illegitimate in this, then strict action should be taken against the culprits," Ajay Chautala, INLD general secretary, told reporters here.

"We will fight this battle against HJC legislators in court and everywhere. We also appeal to the speaker of the assembly to immediately suspend these MLAs from the Vidhan Sabha for violating the norms of the anti-defection law," Chautala said.

The five legislators, who were elected on the HJC ticket in the Oct 13 assembly poll, appeared before assembly Speaker Harmohinder Singh Chatha a few days back and extended their support to Congress.

The HJC, which had six legislators in the assembly, is led by Bhajan Lal and his son Kuldeep Bishnoi.

The Congress had emerged as the single largest party in the 90-member assembly with 40 seats, but was six short of simple majority. Seven Independent legislators and the lone Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) legislator in the house are also supporting the Congress.

"The Congress is looking stable only from outside but their internal disputes will disintegrate the party very soon. The government was a complete failure in their previous term and this time also they have made false promises to allure voters," Chautala said.

"Farmers, who contribute substantially to the state's economy, have been completely neglected by this government. The law and order situation is deteriorating and inflation is out of control but nobody bothers about these issues," he added.

Last updated on Nov 20^th, 2009 at 19:38 pm IST--IANS