BJP's OBC face Nayab Saini to stay Haryana CM, Modi dials him

Top BJP leadership on Tuesday signalled Nayab Singh Saini as its clear choice for the Haryana chief minister as the party created history by returning to power for a third term in a row.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialled Saini to congratulate him on the stunning and record-setting win which BJP leaders described as "well-earned and deserved given the short time Saini was given to make a difference".

Born on January 25, 1970 in Ambala, Saini replaced Manohar Lal Khattar as Haryana CM in March 2024 in the party's bid to ward off anti-incumbency.

Khattar, who ran the Haryana government from 2014 to March 2024, was seen as arrogant.

In the short governance run of about six months, Saini fielded criticism as well as opposition Congress-led narratives that "jawan-pehelwaan-kisan" were angry with the saffron party and would "teach it a lesson".

"It is clear that the people of Haryana have voted for the BJP government's work over the past 10 years, for PM Modi's policies and governance style and for our entire party. It was being said that sections were angry with us. But people understand everything. We did a lot for the farmers. Haryana's democracy and voters are very mature and they have spoken today," Khattar said in Delhi.

Modi will also address the BJP cadres at the party office this evening.

All day today, top BJP leaders huddled at the residence of Khattar in Delhi to discuss the way forward and chalk out a plan for delivery of election promises to the people of Haryana.

On Saini as CM, Khattar indicated it was a given but added: "Our parliamentary board will take the decision."

Saini, in party circles, was seen as more affable and accessible than his mentor Khattar, who was eased out of state politics and made a union minister after Modi won a third term at the Centre.

Khattar stayed away from active campaigning in Haryana with the BJP depending on its OBC face Saini to deliver the goods.

While the Congress put all its eggs in one basket of Jat stalwart Bhupinder Singh Hooda, alienating senior leaders such as Kumari Selja who made her angst public, the BJP focused on all castes, mainly the non-Jats.

The BJP ended up sweeping even the majority of Jat-dominated seats with sources pointing to counter-consolidation of other communities in favour of the ruling party which had been written off by the exit pollsters.