Chandigarh: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is on course to form the government in Haryana for the third consecutive time. Today, Wednesday, the party’s legislative members are set to meet to select the leader of their legislative group, who will likely be the next Chief Minister. Though the BJP has already clarified that the election was fought with Naib Saini as the chief ministerial face, the official announcement will take place during this meeting. Senior party leaders Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav have been appointed as central observers for this crucial meeting, set to take place at the BJP office in Panchkula at 11 a.m.
The decision to send Amit Shah as an observer has sparked speculation. Shah, known for his strategic acumen in electoral matters, was instrumental in the BJP’s sweeping victory in Uttar Pradesh in 2017, and his role in Haryana this time has generated curiosity. With the BJP securing a significant mandate in the state, some wonder whether Shah’s presence is intended to manage internal factionalism or to oversee the formalities of endorsing Naib Saini as Chief Minister, or perhaps, to spring a surprise candidate into the fray.
The BJP is typically viewed as a disciplined party, where decisions on leadership are rarely debated once a candidate is announced. However, the Haryana election has seen a deviation from this norm. Even after Shah publicly declared Naib Saini as the party’s chief ministerial face during the election campaign in Panchkula, leaders like Rao Inderjit and Anil Vij have continued to position themselves as contenders for the top post. Rao Inderjit, although not an MLA, has staked his claim, arguing for representation from southern Haryana, while Anil Vij has cited his seniority in the party as a reason for his candidacy.
Amit Shah’s involvement, it is speculated, is to ensure a smooth decision-making process and to quell any potential leadership disputes before they escalate. With the BJP’s third-term win in Haryana at stake, avoiding any negative headlines has become paramount, and Shah’s role as a mediator could prove critical in resolving the leadership tussles.
Naib Saini’s stature within the party has grown following the election victory, but the continued assertions from other leaders like Vij and Inderjit have kept the contest for chief ministership alive. Recently, Vij met with BJP President J.P. Nadda, reportedly to reiterate his claim to the post.
Senior leaders involved in the swearing-in preparations, however, downplay the internal competition, insisting that the decision on the chief minister will be a collective one. They maintain that Shah’s presence as an observer is part of the BJP’s democratic process and aimed at facilitating discussions within the party.
In addition to selecting the Chief Minister, managing expectations for cabinet posts will be a significant task. Haryana’s BJP is currently grappling with multiple factions, each vying for greater representation in the new government. Amit Shah’s reputation for adeptly handling such situations has given the party confidence that he will successfully navigate any disagreements and bring unity to the newly formed government.