Manohar Lal Khattar, the Chief Minister of Haryana from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stepped down from his position on Tuesday amidst growing tensions within the coalition partner Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. An official from the Haryana government attested to the fact that Khattar had sent the governor of Haryana his letter of resignation and his cabinet.
Strained Relationship Between BJP and JJP
The relationship between the BJP and the JJP, led by Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, turned sour due to their failure to agree on a seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Despite the BJP’s victory in all 10 Lok Sabha constituencies in Haryana during the 2019 elections, reports suggest that the BJP is hesitant to allocate two seats to the JJP and plans to contest all 10 seats independently.
Reports indicate that the alliance between the BJP and the JJP was on the verge of collapse. However, some independent MLAs supporting the Khattar government may ensure its survival. In the 90-member House at the moment, the BJP has 41 seats while the JJP has 10. With the support of six out of seven independent legislators, the BJP could potentially form a new government in Haryana with the backing of independent MLAs.
Meetings Convened
Following Khattar’s resignation, both the BJP and the JJP leadership have called separate meetings with their respective MLAs. All BJP ministers are anticipated to meet with Khattar at his house. Central BJP leaders, including Union Minister Arjun Munda and former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, are currently in the state to oversee developments. However, the specifics of the transition remain unclear.
Appointment of Observers
Haryana has designated Union Minister Munda and BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh as observers. The chosen observers will lead talks with MLAs before the incoming chief minister’s appointment.
Nayab Singh Saini: The New Haryana Chief Minister
Nayab Singh Saini is poised to take over as the new Chief Minister of Haryana on Tuesday, succeeding Manohar Lal Khattar, as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government plans a significant overhaul. This development follows the BJP’s decision to end its alliance with the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections this year.
Who is Nayab Singh Saini?
Nayab Singh Saini, a BJP leader hailing from the Other Backward Class (OBC) community in the state, is known to be a trusted confidant of former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. BJP MLA Rajesh Nagar confirmed Saini’s appointment on Tuesday, stating that Khattar himself proposed Saini’s name for the position.
Political Background
Saini currently serves as the BJP Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Kurukshetra constituency in Haryana. He also holds the position of the chief of the Haryana unit of the BJP and is a member of the Standing Committee on Labour. Saini was unanimously elected as the leader of the BJP Legislative Party on Tuesday.
Electoral Success: In his political career, Saini contested the election in the Naraingarh constituency in 2010 but faced defeat. However, he emerged victorious in the 2014 election, securing a state minister position in the Haryana government. Notably, Saini won the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with a substantial margin, defeating Congress leader Nirmal Singh by over 3.83 lakh votes from the Kurukshetra constituency.
Personal Background
Born on January 25, 1970, in the village of Mizapur Majra in Ambala, Saini holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from BR Ambedkar Bihar University in Muzaffarpur and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from Ch. Charan Singh University in Meerut.
Saini is expected to take the oath as the new Haryana Chief Minister at 4 pm on Tuesday, alongside other ministers. Meanwhile, Khattar and his cabinet ministers have resigned from their positions. Speculations are rife that Khattar may contest as the BJP’s candidate from the Karnal Lok Sabha seat.