New Delhi, October 25: Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that Congress manifesto has points mentioned by Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) chief Dushyant Chautala for extending support for government formation in the state. Bhupinder Singh Hooda added that the Congress is open for new suggestions if Dushyant Chautala has, apparently offering the JJP to form an anti-BJP bloc. Is JJP Chief Dushyant Chautala No Longer 'The Kingmaker'?

"Dushyant Ji stated a few points in his press conference. As far as the Common Minimum Programme is concerned, it's already provided in our manifesto; be it old-age pension or 75 percent job reservation for Haryanvis. If he has other suggestions, we're open to that. Now it's upto him," Hooda told reporters after Dushyant positioned himself as kingmaker in Haryana politics after his party won 10 seats in October 21 polls.

"We will support any party in Haryana that accepts our common minimum programme," the JJP chief told a press conference on Friday. "No one is untouchable for us. We have not decided who to support. I leave it to my MLAs to decide," he added. Haryana threw a hung assembly after assembly elections. The BJP, with 40 seats, was trying to form an alliance with eight independents to form the government.

Eight independents have reportedly pledged their "unconditional support" to the saffron party led by Manohar Lal Khattar. However, the party leadership is keen to have Dushyant Chautala's JJP on board. The JJP fought a bitter campaign on the Jat plank, targeting the BJP. The Congress won 31 of 90 assembly seats and is trying to woo JJP and independents to form the government.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 25, 2019 06:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).