Nayab Singh Saini: Haryana’s New Chief Minister Takes the Helm
In a surprising turn of events just weeks before the impending Lok Sabha elections, Nayab Singh Saini, the BJP’s Haryana unit president and Member of Parliament from Kurukshetra, has emerged as the newly appointed Chief Minister of Haryana. This strategic move follows the unexpected resignation of Manohar Lal Khattar and his cabinet, paving the way for a swearing-in ceremony scheduled for 5 pm today.
Rumors and Speculations: A Glimpse into the Alliance Fracture:
As political circles buzz with speculation, rumors circulate about a potential rift within the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), a key ally of the BJP in Haryana. Allegedly, dissatisfactions within the JJP leadership stem from disagreements over the number of seats offered by the BJP for the forthcoming elections. If rebel JJP members extend support to the BJP, Khattar’s resignation might not be inevitable. Today’s swearing-in ceremony may witness the participation of rebel JJP MLAs, along with a contingent of Independent legislators.
Nayab Singh Saini: Political Journey and Trust Within the Party:
Saini, currently serving as the Member of Parliament from Kurukshetra, took on the role of Haryana BJP President in October of the previous year. His proposed leadership prompted the exit of Anil Vij, the seniormost party MLA and outgoing home minister, from the meeting, signaling a potential shift in the upcoming cabinet.
Unanimously chosen as the leader of the party’s legislature group, Saini’s political ascent traces back to 1996 when he embarked on his journey within the saffron party’s organizational unit. Gradually ascending through various roles, from general secretary to district president, he assumed the role of the state general secretary of BJP Kisan Morcha in 2009. Saini’s electoral victory as an MLA from Narayangarh in 2014 marked a turning point, leading to his appointment as a minister in 2016. His triumph in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, securing the Kurukshetra parliamentary seat with a substantial margin, solidified his political standing.
A close associate of the outgoing Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Saini holds a position of trust within the party, adding an intriguing layer to the unfolding political narrative.
Deepender Singh Hooda’s Commentary:
Expressing his views on the evolving political landscape in Haryana, Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda commented in Hindi, stating, ‘Today, the Khattar-Dushyant government in Haryana, which is against the interests of the people, has suffered a moral defeat.’ Hooda highlighted the perceived ‘selfishness’ behind the BJP-JJP alliance formed in 2019 and suggested that recent developments indicate another agreement forged for similar reasons.
Shifts in Political Dynamics: A Prelude to Resignations:
The BJP faced a challenge after securing 40 out of 90 seats in the 2019 Haryana Legislative Assembly election, falling short of the majority mark of 46 seats. Responding to this, an alliance with the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), holding 10 seats, was formed to collectively establish the government. Dushyant Chautala of the JJP assumed the position of deputy chief minister as part of this strategic alliance.
However, tensions between the BJP and the JJP escalated, particularly concerning a disagreement over seat-sharing for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. This discord reached a tipping point, prompting Chief Minister Khattar and his cabinet to tender their resignations, signaling a significant shift in the political dynamics of Haryana.
Sources within the BJP hinted at a preference for independent participation in future elections, suggesting a potential solo endeavor in both Lok Sabha and assembly elections. Despite the political upheaval, the Haryana government successfully navigated and survived a no-confidence motion during the last assembly session. Parliamentary rules mandate a mandatory six-month gap before initiating another no-confidence motion.
Crucial Independent Support:
Amidst these developments, Independent legislator Dharampal Gonder affirmed that Independent MLAs were supporting the BJP-led government, playing a pivotal role in maintaining political stability. Chief Minister Khattar’s prior discussions with Independent MLAs showcased the strategic importance of these interactions in the broader political landscape.
Chandigarh, March 12 – Nayab Singh Saini’s Unanticipated Rise:
In an unexpected announcement, the BJP declared Nayab Singh Saini, an OBC leader and close associate of Manohar Lal Khattar, as the new Chief Minister of Haryana. This decision comes on the heels of Khattar’s resignation, along with his cabinet ministers. Aged 54, Saini is set to be sworn in later today.
The abrupt shift in leadership occurs just weeks before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Khattar’s second term as chief minister was slated to conclude in October, aligning with the assembly polls. Following Khattar and the entire 13-member BJP-led council of ministers’ resignations, they submitted their letters to Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, reportedly under the guidance of the BJP’s central leadership.
Post these developments, BJP MLAs convened for a party legislature group meeting, during which Saini was unanimously chosen as its leader. Having been appointed as the president of BJP’s Haryana unit in October, Saini, also the Member of Parliament from Kurukshetra, is poised to take the oath as Chief Minister later in the evening.
In October: Strategic Moves and Alliance Speculation:
In October, the BJP strategically replaced Om Prakash Dhankar with Nayab Singh Saini as the state party chief, aiming to strengthen ties with the OBC community. The Jats, the most populous group in Haryana, were believed to divide their votes among the Congress, Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), and Indian National Lok Dal.
Amidst speculation of a potential BJP-JJP coalition breakup, Saini’s appointment aligns with Dushyant Chautala, JJP leader and former deputy chief minister, along with two other JJP members parting ways with the outgoing Khattar-led government. Despite securing all 10 Lok Sabha seats in 2019, the BJP appears enthusiastic about contesting the upcoming parliamentary polls independently.
Saini, having served as a minister in the first Khattar cabinet, transitioned from an MLA to contesting Lok Sabha polls in 2019. Currently, the BJP holds 41 seats in the 90-member House, with JJP having 10 seats. The ruling coalition additionally enjoys support from six of the seven independents, establishing a robust position in Haryana even without JJP’s backing. The Congress, the primary opposition, boasts 30 MLAs, while the Indian National Lok Dal and Haryana Lokhit Party each hold one seat.
Nayab Singh Saini to Take Oath as Haryana Chief Minister on March 12 Evening:
Nayab Singh Saini, Haryana BJP president and OBC leader, emerged as the unanimous choice for the next Chief Minister after the resignation of Manohar Lal Khattar and his Cabinet Ministers. Saini, who represents Kurukshetra in Parliament, is set to take the oath of office on the evening of March 12.
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The decision came after Khattar and his Cabinet submitted their resignations earlier in the day, sparking speculation about the breakdown of the BJP-JJP alliance due to disagreements over seat-sharing for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Saini’s election as the leader of the State BJP Legislature Party underlines the party’s commitment to a smooth transition in leadership.
Haryana CM Update: Manohar Lal Khattar Resigns After BJP-JJP Alliance Fallout:
On Tuesday, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar stepped down from his role, marking his resignation just hours after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance with the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) fell apart.
The JJP, led by Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala, held 10 MLAs in the Haryana Assembly. Khattar formally submitted his resignation letter to Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya. After leaving the Raj Bhavan, senior BJP Leader Kanwar Pal Gujjar confirmed, “CM and the cabinet ministers have resigned, and the Governor has accepted the resignations.”
When asked about the next Chief Minister, Gujjar mentioned, “The CM will continue to be the CM,” indicating a continuation of leadership within the existing framework.
