Nayab Singh Saini’s leadership reshaped Haryana politics, securing BJP’s historic third consecutive electoral victory.
When the BJP pulled off a stunning victory in the October 2024 Haryana Assembly elections—securing a historic third consecutive term despite a strong anti-incumbency wave—it not only surprised political observers but also signalled the rise of a new political face in the state: Nayab Singh Saini. Saini, a prominent OBC leader, took over as Chief Minister in March 2024 following the sudden shift of former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to national politics. Since then, he has steadily consolidated his position. Saini was among the few BJP leaders declared as the party’s CM candidate even before the polls were announced. Less than six months after the BJP lost five Lok Sabha seats in Haryana, Saini’s leadership not only helped the party make history with a third straight term but also improved its tally from 40 to 48 seats in the 90-member Haryana Assembly. His rise has been aided by a fractured opposition. Despite winning 37 seats, the Congress is yet to appoint a Leader of the Opposition. This absence of a strong and united opposition has given the BJP and Saini enough space to focus on governance and sharpen their political messaging. The party’s position was further strengthened after its sweeping victory in the mayoral elections. A study of Saini’s 13-month tenure as Haryana Chief Minister reveals an eventful period marked by three major elections and nearly four months under the Model Code of Conduct. Despite these political roadblocks, Saini has managed to accumulate significant political capital, signalling his growing influence in state politics. Soon after taking office, Saini projected himself as an “accessible Chief Minister,” hosting over 50 visitors at his Chandigarh residence every month. He tapped into Haryana’s traditional power centres and popular slogans—Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Pehelwan (sportspersons)—by assuring farmers that all crops would be procured at Minimum Support Price. One of the standout decisions of his government was offering 20% reservation in the state police for Agniveers—making Haryana the first state in India to do so. With over 5,000 youth from Haryana joining the Agnipath scheme in 2022, the move has been seen as both politically astute and socially responsive. In tandem, the state announced 10% reservation for Agniveers in forest, jail, and mining guard positions, along with incentives to industries that employ them. In another politically impactful move, the Saini government awarded international wrestler and Congress MLA Vinesh Phogat the same cash incentive as an Olympic silver medallist, despite her Olympic disqualification. The gesture not only silenced critics but also helped defuse tensions sparked by the controversy surrounding former Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. A particularly popular initiative under Saini’s leadership has been the implementation of the Lado Lakshmi Yojana, which offers Rs 2,100 per month to eligible women, with Rs 5,000 crore allocated in the 2025–26 budget. Although the government has delivered on only 20 of its 217 manifesto promises so far, it claims that 90 more will be fulfilled within the year. In a strategic move aimed at consolidating Scheduled Caste support, the government also announced sub-categorisation within the SC quota—allocating 50% of the SC reservation to the most deprived groups. Looking toward the future, the Chief Minister announced the creation of a new “Department of Future,” a policy think tank aimed at preparing Haryana for disruptive changes. AI hubs in Gurugram and Panchkula are expected to train 50,000 professionals in emerging technologies. “Nayab Saini’s government is committed to fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas. In the past six months, the Chief Minister has not only fulfilled commitments made to the people of the state but has also strengthened the party through victories in Assembly and municipal elections,” said Praveen Attrey, Media Secretary to the Chief Minister. Additionally, the Prime Minister recently inaugurated two major projects in Haryana: the Hisar Airport and the 800 MW third unit of the Yamunanagar Thermal Power Plant. Political observers believe that by projecting Saini as an OBC leader, the BJP is eyeing electoral gains beyond Haryana. “In the past year, Saini has transformed from a low-profile leader into a regional powerhouse. He has not only stabilised the BJP in Haryana but also emerged as a key player in the party’s broader northern strategy,” said political observer Satish Tyagi. In recent months, Saini has frequently visited Punjab, targeting the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government on issues like farmer distress, grenade attacks, drug trafficking, and law and order concerns. Recently, Saini addressed a gathering in Zirakpur, Punjab, at a felicitation ceremony organised by representatives of various Punjab-based organisations to honour him for his leadership and governance. During the event, Saini praised Modi, stating, “Modi has not only elevated India’s standing on the global stage, but under his leadership, both the country and Haryana are progressing steadily.” He added that the people of Punjab, who have so far placed their trust in various political parties but received only disappointment, now look to Modi for the state’s development and prosperity. “The youth and farmers of Punjab are eager to walk shoulder to shoulder with the Prime Minister and move toward a brighter future,” he said. His comments came just days after the Union Cabinet cleared the Rs 1,878 crore Zirakpur Bypass to ease traffic in Punjab and Haryana. “The government is focused on building a developed Haryana to help realise the Prime Minister’s vision of a developed India. We are working for the welfare of every section of society. Not just in Haryana and Punjab, but Nayab ji has quickly become a popular OBC leader across the country. People appreciate his leadership, and in just one year, he has grown tremendously as a leader,” said Arvind Saini, Haryana BJP Media In-charge.