After securing a historic third consecutive election victory, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is now concentrating on forming the new Haryana government, particularly on the composition of a cabinet that reflects the state’s diverse caste equations.
The party’s 48 newly elected lawmakers are set to meet later today, with much attention on the central leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Haryana government can have a maximum of 14 ministers, including the Chief Minister-elect, Nayab Singh Saini, who met Modi in Delhi on Wednesday. Sources confirm that Saini has been approved for a second term, leaving 13 ministerial positions available. However, the BJP will need to find 11 new faces, as only Mahipal Dhanda and Mool Chand Sharma have retained their seats.
Successfully balancing caste equations and community demands is crucial for the BJP, which has previously managed this task adeptly. Following wins in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh last December, the party took its time to announce chief ministers and cabinets, consulting with MLAs and state leaders.
In Haryana, the BJP has nine Dalit MLAs, eight from Punjabi backgrounds, seven Brahmins, and six each from the Jat and Yadav communities. Additionally, the party includes Gurjars, Rajputs, Vaishyas, and an OBC leader.
Among the notable Dalit MLAs are six-time MLA Krishna Lal Panwar and two-time MLA Krishna Bedi. The eight MLAs with Punjabi roots include seven-time MLA and former Home Minister Anil Vij, who expressed disappointment in March after being overlooked for the Chief Minister position.
Jind MLA Krishnan Middha, a three-time winner, and Ghanshyam Das Arora from Yamunanagar may also be considered, although Arora could be passed over for Vinod Bhayana, a three-time MLA from Hansi.
The Brahmin contingent includes Mool Chand Sharma, a three-time MLA from Ballabgarh, likely to be retained in the cabinet. Two-time Lok Sabha MP Arvind Sharma from Gohana and Ram Gautam, who won in Safidon, may also be contenders.
The BJP will be focusing on the six MLAs from the Ahirwal belt, which once again overwhelmingly supported the party, proving vital in defeating Congress. This group includes six-time MLA Rao Narbir Singh from Badhsahpur, who was part of the Khattar-led government after the 2014 elections.
Aarti Rao, daughter of junior Union Minister Rao Indrajit, secured the Ateli seat and is also being considered for a ministerial role, alongside two-time MLA Laxman Yadav.
Among the Jat representatives, Mahipal Dhanda from Panipat (Rural) is likely to be retained. Krishna Gehlawat, elected for the second time from Rai, is also in contention. A prominent new contender is Shruti Chaudhary, daughter of Rajya Sabha MP Kiran Chaudhary.
Former minister Vipul Goyal from the Vaishya community may also return to the cabinet.
Additionally, Savitri Jindal, India’s richest woman and an independent MLA from Hisar, has extended her support to the BJP, making her a significant figure in potential cabinet discussions. Other candidates include Rajput leader Shyam Singh Rana, three-time MLA Harvinder Kalyan for the Road community, and Ranbir Gangwa, a former Deputy Speaker representing the OBC community. Rajesh Nagar, a two-time MLA from Tigaon, is expected to be the Gurjar representative.
