New Delhi: Nayab Singh Saini will be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Haryana at 10 am October 17, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party, including Mr Saini's counterparts from other BJP-ruled states, sources said Saturday.
This will be Mr Saini's second term; his first began March after Manohar Lal Khattar quit to contest the Lok Sabha election. Mr Saini was seen then as a surprise pick to head the party in the heartland state, particularly with a general and Assembly election on the horizon.
Following the election there was speculation - and amid rumours of an ineffective government and in view of caste equations - he would be replaced, but BJP sources said that having played a key role in the party's big win, Mr Saini would be given a second shot.
He was first picked for this post about 200 days before the election; his selection was prompted partly by Mr Khattar standing down (and getting a Lok Sabha seat in exchange) and also the BJP's traditional pre-poll leadership shuffle to ward of anti-incumbency.
READ | BJP To Stay With Nayab Saini As Haryana Chief Minister: Sources
Some state leaders argued for Mr Saini, saying he had implemented schemes meant to benefit traders, youths, backward classes and government employees, turning around the anti-incumbency accumulated over the years against Mr Khattar's government.
The next step for the BJP will be deciding the Haryana Cabinet.
There can be a maximum of 14 ministers, including the Chief Minister. That leaves 13 positions, of which the BJP will need at least 11 new faces because only Mahipal Dhanda and Mool Chand Sharma, from the first Saini government, managed to retain their seats.
Balancing caste equations and communities' demands while forming a government is not easy, but the BJP has done successfully in the recent past, and it will have to be done again in Haryana.
READ | After Haryana Win, Caste Equations That May Influence BJP's Cabinet Picks
The BJP recorded an (ultimately) convincing victory in the 2024 Haryana Assembly election, counting for which was held on Tuesday. Exit polls predicted a clear win for the Congress and the opposition party raced into an early lead. But by 10 am the tables had turned.
The BJP eventually won 48 of the state's 90 seats for a historic third straight Assembly election victory; Haryana had never before elected the same party three times running.
The Congress finished with 37 seats - six more than it won in 2014 but a poor return considering the party was supposed to win at least 55, well over the majority mark of 46.
READ | "First Time In Haryana A Party Is Coming Back For 3rd Term": PM
Speaking in Delhi after the Haryana election win, Prime Minister Modi lavished praise on party workers and followers and lashed out at the Congress, which he called, among other things, a "parasitic party" that wins only when powered by its alliance partner.
READ | "Arrogant, Overconfident": Allies Twist Knife On Congress' Haryana Loss
The Congress has come under heavy fire from its INDIA bloc allies after the Haryana election win, with the Shiv Sena (UBT) particularly scathing. The Congress and the Thackeray Sena are expected to contest next month's Maharashtra election together.
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