Haryana at Crossroads : The First Year of Nayab Singh Saini's Government

The BJP government of Haryana, under by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, completed its first year in October 2025, with the state's political path reflecting a mix of both progress and challenges.

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Saini took over on October 17, 2024, and was firmly supported by the national BJP leadership, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. The Union government's agenda and the state government's policies have been in close alignment over the past year, demonstrating a strong Center-State synergy that has influenced Haryana's political narrative and governance style. Politically, Saini’s leadership has closely followed the Modi government's style, focusing on discipline, effective welfare programs, and a strong nationalist narrative. The Prime Minister's frequent references to Haryana’s contributions in sports, agriculture, and defense have reinforced the narrative of Haryana as a “model state” under BJP rule. Saini has, in turn, positioned himself as a loyal administrator executing the Centre’s vision at the state level, ensuring policy continuity in sectors like health, housing, and rural infrastructure. In addition to securing federal support for signature projects, this alignment has assisted Haryana in preserving political stability in the face of criticism from the opposition and from within. However, Saini still has to deal with his own problems in the state, even though he has a good relationship with the Union leadership. Critics contend that although the central support gives him exposure, it also restricts his ability to handle challenges unique to his region, like debt management, agrarian hardship, and industrial migration, While some party members are worried about the balance and representation of local leadership, the opposition, led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has