Nayab Singh Saini eyed as Haryana CM post-Khattar’s exit, Who is he? | ActionPunjab

ACTION PUNJAB NEWS Desk: In a dramatic turn of events, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, alongside his cabinet ministers, tendered their resignations to Governor Bandaru Dattatreya on Tuesday, signaling a significant upheaval in the state’s political landscape.

Khattar’s resignation comes amidst apparent strains within the ruling coalition comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP). The decision was made public as Khattar stepped down ahead of the BJP’s legislature party meeting, submitting his resignation at Raj Bhawan.

Tensions between the BJP and the JJP, led by Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, escalated following their inability to negotiate a seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, further exacerbating the rift within the coalition.

Despite the strained alliance, the BJP asserts confidence in its ability to secure the requisite numbers to surpass the halfway mark in the Haryana Legislative Assembly, even in the absence of the JJP’s support. Presently, the BJP commands 41 MLAs in the 90-member House, with an additional six independent MLAs extending their allegiance to the ruling coalition. Meanwhile, the Congress, the primary opposition party, holds 30 seats, with the Indian National Lok Dal and the Haryana Lokhit Party each securing one seat.

Speculation runs rife regarding the formation of a new cabinet, with rumors suggesting that a swearing-in ceremony could transpire imminently. However, amidst the whirlwind of political developments, conjecture abounds regarding the dissolution of the incumbent government and the prospects of a fresh election.

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In response to the unfolding situation, a central BJP team comprising Union Minister Arjun Munda and former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb has been dispatched to oversee the transition. Meanwhile, murmurs circulating within Chandigarh’s corridors of power hint at the potential ascension of state BJP chief Nayab Singh Saini to succeed Khattar as Chief Minister, underscoring the fluidity and uncertainty characterizing Haryana’s political landscape.

Who is Nayab Singh Saini?

Nayab Singh Saini, representing the Kurukshetra constituency in the Lok Sabha, emerges as a prominent figure within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), particularly in Haryana’s political landscape. Hailing from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community, Saini assumed the role of state president of the Haryana BJP in October of the previous year, marking a significant milestone in his political trajectory.

His journey within the BJP dates back to 1996 when he embarked on his political career within the party’s organizational framework in Haryana. Saini’s dedication and diligence propelled him through various hierarchical positions, including serving as the district general secretary of the BJP Youth Wing in Ambala in 2002, and subsequently as the district president in Ambala in 2005.

His commitment to the party’s cause earned him pivotal roles such as the state general secretary of the BJP Kisan Morcha in Haryana in 2009, and later as the district president of Ambala BJP in 2012. Saini’s political fortunes soared when he secured victory as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from the Narayangarh constituency in 2014, followed by his appointment as a minister in the Haryana government in 2016.

The pinnacle of Saini’s political career was evident in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where he clinched victory by defeating his nearest rival, Nirmal Singh of the Indian National Congress (INC), from the Kurukshetra constituency by a substantial margin of over 3.83 lakh votes.

Widely regarded as a confidante of Manohar Lal Khattar, Saini’s elevation to the position of Haryana BJP chief underscores the intricate interplay of electoral calculations and caste dynamics. It is speculated that Khattar, seeking a leader from his camp to helm the state unit, strategically positioned Saini for this pivotal role.

The Saini caste, constituting approximately 8 per cent of Haryana’s population, wields considerable influence, particularly in regions spanning Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar, Ambala, Hisar, and Rewari districts. Saini’s ascent to prominence within the BJP aligns with the party’s efforts to consolidate its support base, leveraging both electoral arithmetic and caste affiliations to bolster its position in Haryana’s political milieu.

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(Inputs from agencies)