Lagatar24 Desk
Chandigarh: Nayab Singh Saini, 54, was sworn in today as Haryana’s Chief Minister for the second time, marking the BJP’s historic third consecutive term in the state. The ceremony, held at Panchkula’s Parade Ground, saw the attendance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and other senior BJP leaders, along with 18 Chief Ministers from NDA-ruled states.
The grand event, seen as a show of strength, comes just ahead of crucial assembly polls in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Saini, who first assumed office as Chief Minister in March, replacing former CM Manohar Lal Khattar. Alongside Saini, BJP leaders Anil Vij, Krishan Lal Panwar, and Rao Narbir Singh were also sworn in.
Mr. Saini’s political career spans nearly three decades, having first been elected as an MLA from Naraingarh in 2014, later serving as an MP from Kurukshetra. His rise to power was a result of his long-standing association with the BJP and his tenure under the mentorship of Manohar Lal Khattar.
Leading up to the ceremony, Mr. Saini made a series of religious visits, including stops at Valmiki Bhawan, a local gurdwara, and Mansa Devi temple in Panchkula.
The BJP secured a decisive victory in the October 5 assembly elections, winning 48 of the 90 seats, while the Congress secured 37 seats. Regional parties like JJP and AAP failed to make a significant impact, with the INLD reduced to just two seats. Saini’s victory came from Ladwa, where he won by a margin of over 16,000 votes.
The BJP’s dominance was especially strong in constituencies reserved for Scheduled Castes, flipping eight of 17 SC seats, including notable victories in Nilokheri, Pataudi, and Hodal, where Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan was defeated by BJP’s Harinder Singh.
