As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) gears up for the formation of its new government in Haryana, the party is set to hold a crucial meeting on Wednesday to formally elect its leader and stake claim to form the government. This meeting will pave the way for the swearing-in of the new BJP government, slated for October 17. The leadership decision is being closely watched as party leaders intensify lobbying for key cabinet positions.
“On October 16, our central observers, Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, will hold a meeting with our newly elected MLAs,” Nayab Singh Saini said, indicating that he is likely to be re-elected as the legislative party leader.
The BJP secured a majority in the recently concluded Haryana Assembly elections, and the meeting on Wednesday will finalize the leadership before the party stakes its claim to form the government. While Saini remains the frontrunner to retain his chief ministerial post, the race for cabinet berths has led to intense lobbying among party legislators.
The Haryana cabinet can accommodate 14 ministers, including the Chief Minister. Party insiders suggest that 10 legislators are likely to be inducted in the first phase, with appointments made based on a careful balance of caste and regional representation.
Prominent names emerging in the race include newly elected MLA Krishan Lal Panwar, a well-known Dalit leader who resigned from the Rajya Sabha. Other contenders are Anil Vij, a veteran BJP leader from the Punjabi community, and former Home Minister in the previous Manohar Lal government, although Vij has reportedly opted out of the cabinet due to internal dissatisfaction. During his election campaign Vij also staked claims for the chief ministerial post declaring himself as the senior most leader of the party as he has won for the seventh term.
As per the party insiders key leaders among those making efforts for the cabinet berths are Arvind Sharma (Brahmin), Krishna Midda (Punjabi), Krishan Bedi (Dalit), Mahipal Dhanda (Jat), Harvinder Kalyan (Ror), Mool Chand Sharma (Brahmin), Laxman Yadav (Yadav), Ghanshyam Dass Arora (Punjabi), Yoginder Rana (Rajput), Arti Rao and Rao Narbir (Yadav), Vipul Goel (Bania), Ranbir Gangwa (OBC) and Tejpal Tanwar (Gurjar).
Besides Krishna Gahlawat (Jat), who has won from Rai, and Savitri Jindal, who has won independently from Hisar, later extended support to the BJP. Sources reveal that the BJP is keen on maintaining inclusivity, with two ministers each expected from the Punjabi, Brahmin, Jat, and Yadav communities, and one minister each from the Bania, Gurjar, Valmiki, and Jatav communities. This diverse representation will reflect the BJP’s strategy to solidify its appeal across Haryana’s various social segments.
Both leaders are known for their organizational skills and strategic leadership, and their involvement underscores the significance of the Haryana government formation for the party.
In the run-up to the event, senior party leaders have been engaged in discussions to finalize the list of ministers. A key meeting was held under the leadership of BJP’s national general secretary Vinod Tawde to coordinate the logistics of the swearing-in ceremony and the upcoming cabinet appointments. BJP senior leader Om Prakash Dhankhar also assured the public that the ceremony would be a grand affair, befitting the overwhelming mandate the BJP received in the state.
“The people of Haryana have given the BJP a spectacular mandate, and the swearing-in ceremony will be equally magnificent. Our workers will also get a chance to express their joy,” Dhankhar said. He emphasized the party’s focus on inclusivity and representation in the new government.
“Just like in Haryana, the BJP will achieve victory in Maharashtra and Jharkhand as well”, he remarked. Dhankhar also dismissed the Congress’ allegations regarding EVM tampering, urging them to focus on introspection rather than blaming voting machines.
With the stage set for a new BJP government in Haryana, all eyes are now on the October 16 meeting, where the future leadership will be determined, followed by the oath-taking ceremony on October 17. The BJP has won 48 seats against the required strength of 46 in the 90 members house, even three independent MLAs have already extended their support to the BJP taking the strength 51.