Haryana BJP's Strategy Shift: Anil Vij Left Out, New Faces Sworn In

The BJP's effort to combat anti-incumbency in Haryana, where it has been in power since 2014, has witnessed the exclusion of another prominent figure. Anil Vij, arguably the most prominent leader from the Haryana BJP after former chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, has not been included in the new cabinet led by Nayab Singh Saini.

Five other ministers, who served in Mr. Khattar's cabinet, were sworn in with Mr. Saini at a hastily arranged ceremony on Tuesday evening, shortly after the chief minister and his entire cabinet resigned.

Vij's omission, particularly surprising as there were speculations of him being appointed as one of the two deputy chief ministers, became evident when he left the legislature party meeting mid-way. Sources indicated that he appeared visibly upset, and he also chose to skip the swearing-in ceremony. The meeting, attended by central observers Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda and the party's National General Secretary, Tarun Chugh, concluded with Saini's selection as chief minister.

Next Steps

While Khattar is expected to contest the Lok Sabha election from Kurukshetra, the seat now vacated by the new chief minister, the party's plans for Vij remain unclear. The two leaders had disagreements during their nearly ten years serving together as cabinet colleagues, and Saini is known to be close to Khattar.

Vij is known for his controversial statements, such as suggesting the removal of Mahatma Gandhi's image from currency notes and referring to the Taj Mahal as a "beautiful graveyard." He later apologized for the statement regarding Mahatma Gandhi. In 2019, he also verbally abused protesters who had surrounded his car in Ambala.

The former minister has been elected as the MLA from the Ambala Cantonment constituency six times, winning thrice in a row since 2009.

Chief Minister Remains the Sole New Face

Among the ministers sworn in with Mr. Saini on Tuesday were JP Dalal, Moolchand Sharma, Banwari Lal, and Kanwar Pal Gurjar from the BJP, along with Independent MLA Ranjit Singh. All these ministers were part of the Khattar government.