BJP Set to Form New Haryana Government as Cabinet Formation Focuses on Caste Balancing

Chandigarh, 10th October 2024: With the historic achievement of securing a third consecutive electoral victory behind them, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has now shifted its focus to establishing a new government in Haryana. The key priority is forming a cabinet that balances caste considerations in the state. The 48 newly elected BJP legislators are expected to gather later today, but the central leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, holds the final say.

The Haryana government can have up to 14 ministers, including Chief Minister-elect Nayab Singh Saini, who met with Modi in Delhi on Wednesday. Sources suggest that the BJP leadership has already approved Saini’s second term, his first full tenure as chief minister. This leaves 13 available cabinet positions, with the party likely to introduce 11 new ministers, as only two returning MLAs—Mahipal Dhanda and Mool Chand Sharma—retained their seats.

Balancing the demands of various caste groups is always a challenge in cabinet formation, yet the BJP has shown success in this approach, as seen last year in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh. Similar strategic decisions are expected in Haryana, where the BJP’s new assembly members include nine Dalit MLAs, eight of Punjabi origin, seven Brahmins, and six each from the Jat and Yadav communities. The party also has representation from Gurjars, Rajputs, Vaishyas, and an OBC leader.

Of the nine Dalit legislators, two stand out—six-time MLA Krishna Lal Panwar and two-time MLA Krishna Bedi. Among the eight MLAs of Punjabi origin are seven-time MLA and former Home Minister Anil Vij, who was passed over for the chief ministerial post, leading to some discontent. Despite his ambitions, Vij was overlooked again in favour of Saini, which could present challenges for the party.

Other key figures include three-time MLA Krishan Middha from Jind and Ghanshyam Das Arora from Yamunanagar. However, Arora’s position may be skipped in favour of Vinod Bhayana, a three-time MLA from Hansi.

Among the Brahmins, Ballabgarh MLA Mool Chand Sharma is expected to retain his cabinet position. Another potential inclusion is two-time MP Arvind Sharma, who secured the Gohana seat, and Ram Gautam, who won Safidon—a first for the BJP in that constituency.

The Ahirwal region, which delivered crucial support for the BJP, is represented by six MLAs, including six-time MLA Rao Narbir Singh from Badshahpur. Although not part of Saini’s first government, Singh served under former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Aarti Rao, daughter of Union Minister Rao Indrajit, is a first-time winner from Ateli and could be a new face in the cabinet. Laxman Yadav, a two-time MLA, is also on the shortlist.

Jats, a significant demographic in Haryana, are represented by Mahipal Dhanda, a two-time MLA from Panipat (Rural), and Krishna Gehlawat, who secured the Rai seat for the second time. Another potential newcomer is Shruti Chaudhary, daughter of BJP Rajya Sabha MP Kiran Chaudhary.

Other potential cabinet members include ex-minister Vipul Goyal from the Vaishya community and independent MLA Savitri Jindal, India’s wealthiest woman, who extended her support to the BJP.

The Rajput community may be represented by Shyam Singh Rana, while three-time MLA Harvinder Kalyan could be chosen as the Road community’s representative. Ranbir Gangwa, the Deputy Speaker in the previous government, might represent the OBC community, and Rajesh Nagar, a two-time MLA from Tigaon, is likely to be the Gurjar candidate for the cabinet.