It has not even been a week since the new Chief Minister of Haryana Nayab Singh Saini took office, and his working style and how Chandigarh is going to act politically is becoming clear. In a surprise move a few days ago, former CM Manohar Lal Khattar who was in office for over nine years, stepped down. This was a major surprise for everyone.
Some pundits speculate that it was planned already. Others add that CM Manohar Lal had been seeking out for a national role for quite some time but this wish was granted only when it looked strategically right. This is also clear from the fact that the day before his resignation, Prime Minister Modi met CM Manohar Lal during the inauguration of the Dwarka Expressway. The ceremony was held in the presence of Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road, Transport and Highways, along with thousands who had joined in for the celebrations. That India is constructing modern infrastructural wonders during PM Modi’s tenure is a story unfolding in front of everyone.
During his address, PM Modi fondly reminisced the time he had spent in Haryana in the 1990s. Manohar and Modi would travel around Haryana on the former’s motorcycle; slowly building the BJP organisation in Haryana. In effect, building a foundation for the BJP’s success in the coming years. The cheers were loud and the crowd responded with warmth. It was a message from Haryana to the Modi-Manohar duo. However, in hindsight, it looks like Modi’s way of acknowledging Manohar’s work. The next morning, the Manohar government submitted its resignation to the Haryana Governor. While most in the state speculated that Manohar Lal would form the government again later in the day after calling off the BJP-JJP alliance; what happened was much more surprising.
Later in the day, after the legislators’ meeting in the presence of other senior leaders/observers of the BJP; it was decided that Nayab Singh Saini, a Member of Parliament from Kurukshetra, would become the Chief Minister of Haryana. It proved true what many have said already that the road to Chandigarh goes via Delhi.
Later in the day, Nayab would touch Manohar Lal Khattar’s feet before taking the oath to office and oath to secrecy. Interestingly, the next day during the vote of confidence, Manohar Lal Khattar also resigned as a legislator from the Assembly; sending shock to everyone. In fact, the video from the proceeding suggests that CM Nayab was as surprised if not more by this development. And, perhaps, it is natural.
Manohar Lal Khattar and Nayab Singh Saini have shared a guru-shishya bond. While Nayab considers him a senior, Manohar has taken care of Nayab like a proud elder brother if not a father. Consider the elevation of Nayab Saini as the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2023. The BJP has no dearth of loyal cadre and leaders in the state. There were many who were anticipating that the BJP would bring in another Jat leader who could be more effective in cutting down on the anti-incumbency amongst the Jats of the state. Or, Manohar Lal might give it to the all-powerful MP from Karnal, Sanjay Bhatia, whose close affinity with Manohar Lal is widely known. However, for the role of leadership of the party in the state, Nayab Singh Saini was chosen and it is believed that amongst other things that the party organisation considers, Manohar Lal’s support was critical.
It might have come as a surprise. But, it is only natural that a leader would pass the reins to his most trusted lieutenant. And since then, Nayab Singh Saini has shown signs of being a good torchbearer of the Manohar School of Politics. With a hawan, Saini entered the CM residence; began meeting people, attended a gathering in Kurukshetra, and met senior leaders of the party. He has either accommodated former CM Manohar Lal’s staff or given important positions to those who were seen as close to the former CM. Furthermore, he plays an important role in galvanising the Other Backward Classes (OBC) vote bank in Haryana. This is critical because only months after the forthcoming general elections, Haryana will go to polls for state assembly.
Apart from the bond that the two share, it should also be understood that about six months to polls is too short a time for a CM to establish his hold over governance and other things. More so when the all-important Lok Sabha elections 2024 are to take place at this time. Hence, while Nayab has taken over the office, Manohar Lal’s support, directions and suggestions are going to be very important for the new chief minister. So far, it looks like things are working well in that direction.
Arjun Singh Kadian is an academic and policy professional based out of offices in Haryana and Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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