Day after praise from PM Modi, Manohar Lal Khattar out as Haryana CM: Why BJP replaced him

The day began with talk of a split in the BJP-Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) alliance in Haryana and the resignation of the Manohar Lal Khattar government. By late afternoon, the alliance was over, Khattar was out, and state BJP president Nayab Saini, the Kurukshetra MP, had been declared the new Chief Minister. According to party insiders, Khattar himself proposed Saini’s name at the BJP Legislature Party meeting.

The events in Haryana unfolded a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended Khattar and his vision for Haryana’s development at an event in Gurgaon during which the government launched the Haryana section of the Dwarka Expressway.

Recalling how he and Khattar go a long way, Modi recounted how he used to ride pillion on Khattar’s motorbike, often travelling from Rohtak to Gurgaon. “There were small roads but today the entire Gurugram region is connected to several major national highways, including expressways, which reflects the progressive mindset of Chief Minister, Shri Manohar Lal. Today, the future of every Haryanvi is safe under the leadership of the Chief Minister.”

Khattar too assured Modi that “on behalf of Haryana’s 2.82 crore people, I can assure that the BJP shall win all 10 Lok Sabha seats of Haryana”. In January, during his video interaction with welfare beneficiaries, the PM, talking to a farmer from Rohtak, described Khattar as “bahut mazboot aadmi (a very strong man)” who ensures people receive the benefits of the schemes launched by the government.

BJP sources told The Indian Express that Khattar was likely to be projected as one of the party’s candidates for the Lok Sabha polls. The decision to replace him was in line with the party’s stand to change its chief ministers after two terms, said a