Hooda wins vote of confidence

Seven Independents and one BSP MLA extended support to the 40-member Congress legislature group. While 31 MLAs belonging to the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), four from the BJP and one from the Shiromani Akali Dal voted against the confidence motion, six MLAs of the Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) led by Kuldeep Bishnoi were conspicuous by their absence.

In all, 47 members voted in favour of the confidence motion.

Stable govt

A beaming Hooda later said his government was “stable” and sought to discount allegations of horse trading levelled by the Opposition. “There is no deal with the Independent MLAs. They have extended unconditional support to the government”, he told reporters.

The Opposition parties led by INLD’s Om Prakash Chautala and BJP’s Anil Vij tried to nail the government, alleging it was “rushing through” the business by calling only a one-day session. “Where is the time for discussions on the confidence vote? The list of business cramped in a single-day sessions is unprecedented,” Chautala said.

He also raised questions about the credibility of the Congress government saying it had failed to win the mandate of the people.

However, Hooda retorted and urged the Speaker to settle the issue by calling for voting. Thereafter, the Congress MLAs and others stood in their seats and head count was taken.

Earlier, the house unanimously elected Dr Harmohinder Singh Chattha as Speaker.

Priorities

Governor Jagannath Pahadia, in his address, said the government was committed to accelerate the pace of development in the state. He said the focus of the government would be creation of employment opportunities, socio-economic justice and welfare of the weaker sections.

“Agriculture and farming community will be the primary focus of my government,” he said adding that a state farmers commission would be set up to examine problems and grievance of the farmers and suggest remedial measures.