The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to form its new government in Haryana, with the oath-taking ceremony scheduled for October 17 in Panchkula. The event will mark the continuation of BJP’s governance in the state after a resounding victory in the recently concluded assembly elections. The ceremony is slated to take place at the Dussehra Ground in Sector 5, Panchkula, at 10 am.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the event, accompanied by senior BJP leaders, chief ministers of other BJP-ruled states, and party dignitaries. According to BJP sources, the decision on the Chief Minister’s appointment is expected to be confirmed before the ceremony. While no formal announcement has been made, reports indicate that Nayab Singh Saini, who replaced former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar earlier this year, is likely to continue as Chief Minister. Saini is credited with playing a significant role in steering the party toward its historic win.
In the 2024 assembly elections, BJP secured a record 48 seats in the 90-member assembly, 11 more than its nearest rival, the Congress. The Janata Jannayak Party (JJP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) suffered significant losses, and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) managed to win just two seats. The party defied a decade-long anti-incumbency and surpassed exit poll projections, which had forecasted a Congress victory.
BJP’s success is attributed to a combination of social engineering and strategic decisions, including dropping 14 sitting MLAs to counter voter dissatisfaction. The party fielded 27 fresh faces, of whom 15 emerged victorious. The BJP’s vote share of 39.9% and seat share of 53.3% are the highest the party has achieved in Haryana’s electoral history.
The party’s strategy for Haryana involved quick adjustments after a less-than-expected performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where BJP won five out of ten seats. Modi’s consistent endorsement and campaigning in the state also played a pivotal role in galvanizing the cadre and ensuring voter turnout in the party’s favor.