The Indian National Congress (INLD) and Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Haryana on Thursday formed a pre-poll alliance for the state assembly elections expected to be held in October.
INLD general secretary Abhay Chautala and BSP national coordinator Akash Anand said the alliance would explore the option of joining hands with other like-minded socio-political organisations.
The coalition’s face will be its chief minister, Abhay Chautala, grandson of Chaudhary Devi Lal, a former deputy chief minister and the state’s tallest Jat leader.
While the INLD will contest 53 of the 90 seats, the BSP will contest the remaining 37 seats.
According to their manifestos, the two parties promised to abolish contractual employment and provide permanent jobs, set up solar power plants to reduce electricity bills to Rs 500 for each household, provide free water, old-age pension of Rs 7,500 per month, unemployment allowance of Rs 21,000 and one employed person for every household.
Scheduled caste people will be given 100 yards of land for each family, free coaching for competitive exams, free education up to the 10th standard, etc.
After internal feuds within the INLD, Dushyant, grandson of five-time chief minister OP Chautala, split the party to form the Janayak Janata Party (JJP) in 2018. In 2019, the JJP extended support to the BJP to form the state government but withdrew its support in March.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Today’s Featured Video
PM Modi visits Russia, hugs President Putin, has tea with him at his home, rides in golf cart
