SAINI TAKES OATH AS HARYANA CM FOR 2ND TIME

With 5 OBCs, two Brahmins, two Jats and two Dalits, BJP strikes caste and regional balance

- NEERAJ MOHAN

In a calculated move aimed at maintaining caste and regional equilibrium, the Bharatiya Janata Party unveiled its new cabinet under Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who was sworn in for a second consecutive term to lead the third BJP-led government in the state in a row.

The newly appointed cabinet is a mosaic of leaders from key communities, demonstrating the BJP's strategic balancing act between caste and region. Along with Nayab Saini, the ministers sworn in include Anil Vij, Krishna Lal Panwar, Rao Narbir Singh, Mahipal Dhanda, Vipul Goel, Dr. Arvind Kumar Sharma, Shyam Singh Rana, Ranbir Gangwa, Krishna Kumar Bedi, Shruti Choudhary, and Aarti Singh Rao. Additionally, Rajesh Nagar and Gaurav Gautam took oath as Ministers of State (Independent Charge).

Held with much fanfare, the swearing-in ceremony saw the attendance of prominent BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, BJP president JP Nadda, and former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal.

The BJP, which secured an unprecedented third consecutive win in the recent Assembly elections, has meticulously crafted its cabinet with a balanced mix of caste groups. This strategy not only reflects the party's outreach to various communities but also highlights its electoral arithmetic in a state that has historically been dominated by Jats.