In a dramatic turn of events, the Haryana Assembly gears up for a special session today, poised to witness a high-stakes showdown as Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini faces the crucial task of proving his majority in a floor test amidst swirling political upheaval.
Replacing his predecessor, veteran BJP leader Manohar Lal Khattar, Nayab Singh Saini, the incumbent Lok Sabha MP from Kurukshetra, made a formal bid to Governor Bandaru Dattatreya on Tuesday, marking the beginning of his tenure as the new Chief Minister of Haryana. The official swearing-in ceremony took place at Raj Bhawan, Chandigarh, where Saini assumed office. Alongside him, four BJP stalwarts, namely Kanwar Pal Gujjar, Jai Parkash Dalal, Moolchand Sharma, and Banwari Lal, were sworn in as ministers in the state cabinet. Additionally, independent MLA Ranjit Singh also took the oath under the auspices of Governor Dattatreya, with the former Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar, gracing the occasion with his presence.
Expressing gratitude towards senior party leaders including Prime Minister Modi, BJP President JP Nadda, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, CM Saini emphasized the commitment of his government towards the state’s development agenda. Asserting the support of 48 MLAs, Saini confirmed that the Speaker has been duly informed to conduct the crucial floor test in the Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday morning.
The recent political turbulence stems from the breakdown of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) alliance, which led to the resignation of former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Reflecting on the alliance’s collapse, Khattar hinted at disagreements over Lok Sabha seat allocations as a probable cause. He suggested that discussions between the JJP leadership and the central command might have precipitated the split, leading to the decision to contest parliamentary seats separately.
A prominent figure within the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community, Nayab Saini’s ascendancy within the BJP ranks underscores his political clout. His close association with outgoing CM Khattar further underscores his strategic position within the party hierarchy.
Prior to Saini’s assumption of office, Manohar Lal Khattar tendered his resignation following the rupture of the BJP-JJP alliance. With the JJP, led by Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala, commanding 10 MLAs in the Haryana Assembly, Khattar’s resignation marked the end of his tenure, as he formally submitted his resignation letter to Governor Bandaru Dattatreya.
In the backdrop of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP secured all 10 parliamentary seats in Haryana, the subsequent rift within the BJP-JJP alliance has significantly altered the state’s political landscape. With the BJP commanding 41 MLAs in the 90-member House, the upcoming floor test holds the key to determining the stability and direction of Haryana’s governance.
As Haryana braces itself for this pivotal political juncture, all eyes remain fixated on the outcome of the impending floor test, which promises to shape the course of the state’s political trajectory in the days to come.
