Nayab Singh Saini takes oath as Haryana chief minister for second term

Nayab Singh Saini, 54, was sworn in as Haryana's chief minister on Thursday, marking his second term. In a break from tradition, the BJP had announced ahead of the polls that Saini would retain the top post if the party returned to power. The ceremony in Panchkula was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, BJP chief JP Nadda, and NDA allies.

Also Read: Nayab Singh Saini Cabinet: Anil Vij joins as minister; Shruti Choudhary and Narbir Singh sworn in

Ambala Cantt MLA Anil Vij, Israna MLA Krishan Lal Panwar, Badshahpur MLA Rao Narbir Singh, Tosham MLA Shruti Choudhary, Ateli MLA Arti Singh Rao and Radaur MLA Shyam Singh Rana were among those administered the oath of office by Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya.


The BJP's decision to hold the swearing-in on Valmiki Jayanti carries symbolic significance. Sage-poet Valmiki, author of the epic Ramayana, is a deeply revered figure, especially among Dalit communities, underscoring the party’s outreach efforts.

Change in Haryana's political landscape

In a significant change in Haryana's political landscape, Saini, representing the Other Backward Classes (OBC), replaced Manohar Lal Khattar as the state's chief minister in March. Saini's leadership comes after his stint as a minister in Khattar's administration from 2014 to 2019 and his victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Kurukshetra.

Following Khattar's resignation from the Karnal assembly seat in March, Saini secured the seat in the May by-elections. However, in the subsequent Haryana polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominated him from Ladwa in Kurukshetra, where he achieved victory.

Saini's rise from Haryana BJP president to chief minister happened at a critical time when the party faced anti-incumbency sentiments after Khattar's nine-and-a-half-year tenure. The opposition targeted the BJP on various issues including farmers' concerns, unemployment, the Agnipath scheme, inflation, and law and order.

His name was proposed by MLA Krishan Kumar Bedi and seconded by senior leader Anil Vij, who had thrown his hat in the ring for the chief minister's post despite the party backing Saini. Three Independent MLAs who won the October 5 Assembly polls, including Savitri Jindal from Hisar, have extended their support to the BJP.

Nayab Singh Saini: From computer operator to Haryana CM

Nayab Singh Saini, born on January 25, 1970, in Mizapur Majra, Ambala, has made a remarkable journey to the Chief Minister's chair. He began his career as a computer operator at the BJP's state headquarters and became involved in organizational work by 1996. After earning his BA and LLB from B.R. Ambedkar Bihar University, he joined the RSS, where he met Manohar Lal Khattar, who significantly influenced his political rise.

Despite a brief two-and-a-half months in active governance before the upcoming polls, Saini focused on reaching voters through Cabinet meetings and community benefit announcements. His efforts to support the backward community aimed to consolidate non-Jat votes while potentially splitting Jat votes among rival parties. This strategy was reportedly a key factor in the BJP's decision to appoint Saini, an OBC, as CM in place of Khattar.

The BJP achieved an unprecedented third term in Haryana, winning 48 seats in the 90-member assembly, while the Congress secured 37 seats.

Saini was unanimously elected as the leader of the BJP legislature party in the state.