Nayab Singh Saini will take the oath as the Chief Minister of Haryana at 10 am on October 17, 2024, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Attendees will also include his counterparts from other BJP-ruled states. This will mark Saini’s second term as Haryana’s Chief Minister.
Saini’s First Term as Chief Minister
Saini’s first term began in March 2024 after former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar resigned to contest in the Lok Sabha election. Initially seen as a surprise choice to lead the state, especially with both general and Assembly elections on the horizon, Saini took over the reins. There was speculation during his first term that, due to rumours of inefficiency and caste dynamics, he might be replaced. However, BJP insiders later confirmed that Saini played a pivotal role in securing a significant victory for the party in the state, ensuring his second term as Chief Minister.
Key Role in BJP’s Victory
Nayab Singh Saini was appointed just 200 days before the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections. His selection followed a leadership reshuffle within the BJP, a tactic the party often employs to address anti-incumbency concerns. Despite initial doubts about his leadership, Saini’s initiatives aimed at traders, youth, backward classes, and government employees helped shift public opinion, turning around the accumulated dissatisfaction with the previous Khattar government.
Balancing Caste Equations and Forming a New Cabinet
Following the election victory, the next critical step for the BJP will be forming the Haryana Cabinet. There is a provision for up to 14 ministers, including the Chief Minister. This leaves 13 ministerial positions to be filled, of which at least 11 will be new faces, as only Mahipal Dhanda and Mool Chand Sharma, from Saini’s first government, managed to retain their seats.
The BJP will need to skillfully balance caste equations and the demands of various communities while forming the new cabinet, a challenge they have successfully managed in the past and will need to navigate again in Haryana.
Historic Victory for BJP in Haryana
The 2024 Haryana Assembly election marked a historic win for the BJP, with the party securing 48 out of 90 seats, making it the third consecutive victory for the BJP in the state. This is the first time Haryana has elected the same party three times in a row. Despite early exit polls suggesting a Congress win, the BJP turned the tables by 10 am, eventually emerging victorious. Congress, which was expected to secure at least 55 seats, managed to win 37—an improvement from their 2014 performance but still falling short of the majority mark.
The BJP’s third straight victory is a testament to their continued influence and ability to address key voter concerns, despite pre-poll uncertainties.
