Chandīgarh: Ctrl+Delete: Saini's command helped the BJP 'avoid' nine years of anti-government in six months.
Nayab Singh Saini's journey from a small village in Ambala to two-time chief minister of Haryana was not unusual. From working as a computer operator to leading the BJP to successive victories, Saini's story is a mix of ambition, hard work and strategic politics.
Born in a modest family of soldiers and farmers in the small village of Mizapur Majra, near Ambala, Saini's rise has highlighted his determination and the BJP's strategic gamble in backing him. Apart from his OBC background and his close association with his mentor, former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Saini seemed to be lucky. This fortunate combination allowed him to overtake several prominent party leaders and win the top job not just once, but twice in six months.
In a state historically ruled by several Jat figures, Saini's caste made him a natural candidate for the BJP's strategy of balancing Jat and non-Jat representation. This measure paid off greatly. Under his leadership, the BJP won an unprecedented third consecutive term in the October 2024 assembly elections, defeating the two-term opposition and winning a maximum of 48 of 90 seats.
Born in 1970, Saini came from humble beginnings. His father, Telu Ram Saini, was a military man. After retiring, his father worked as a farmer in his village and in 2005 he tragically died of a heart attack. People close to Saini remember growing up in a family with small properties; He lived a simple life based on the realities of rural life. His upbringing, marked by the parallel experiences of agricultural and military life, gave him a deep understanding of the struggles faced by rural communities in Haryana.
“Nayab was very hardworking from an early age and worked in the fields as a farmer,” shared Suresh Paul, his cousin who still lives in his village. In 1992, Saini left home and formed a close bond with then RSS propagandist Manohar Lal Khattar. Their relationship became a “guru-chella” with Qatar playing a key role in Saini's political journey.
A law graduate from Chaudhry Charan Singh University in Meerut, Saini's education provided him with the necessary legal knowledge to support his political aspirations. In 1996-97, Khattar gave Saini the responsibility of managing a computer at the BJP office in Rohtak, which was said to have been handed over to none other than Narendra Modi. Impressed by Saini's growing interest in the party's work and dedication, Khattar helped him advance within the organization. In 2002, Saini was appointed district secretary of the BJP Yuva Morcha in Ambala, marking the beginning of his political rise.
He slowly rose through the ranks and later became the district president of the youth wing and finally the district president of Ambala.
However, his first major election bid from Narengarh constituency in 2009 ended in failure, coming fifth with just 8,082 votes and losing his security deposit. Despite the setback, Saini did not give up. He continued his grassroots efforts and was eventually elected Narayankar's MLA in 2014, marking the beginning of his political rise.
In 2015, he was appointed as the Minister of Labour, Employment, Mines and Geology in the Government of Haryana. His influence grew further when he won the Kurukshetra Lok Sabha seat in 2019, consolidating his position within the BJP.
Saini's career took a big leap in October 2023 when he was appointed president of the BJP's Haryana unit. The promotion placed him at the helm of the party leadership, largely due to his close ties to Qatar and strong connections in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
In a surprising and calculated move, Saini was appointed Chief Minister of Haryana in March 2024, after Manohar Lal was removed. He won the Karnal by-election in May 2024, where he won by a margin of 41,450 votes, showing his growing popularity among the people.
Despite a brief tenure in his first term, Saini made his mark by focusing on inclusive governance, with an emphasis on improvements in education, employment and health, especially for marginalized communities. His efforts have strengthened the BJP's rural reach in Haryana, ensuring a loyal voter base. Five months later, his leadership not only led the BJP to another victory in the assembly elections but consolidated the party's position in the state by winning 48 of 90 seats with nearly 39.94% of the votes.
Personally, Saini maintains strong family ties. His wife Suman is politically active and is associated with the BJP Mahila Morcha in Haryana. Although she lost the 2022 Zila Parishad election, she continued to support her husband's political efforts and campaigned extensively in Latvia while her husband campaigned for other candidates. They have two children: Aniketh, a lawyer, Vanshika, 12 years old. Kulwant Kaur, Saini's mother, 70, lives in her native village.
However, Saini's political path was not without obstacles. As he begins his second term, he faces increasing internal pressures within the party and challenges from his political rivals. Maintaining social balance and addressing farmers' concerns will be the arduous tasks that will define the success of his tenure and deliver on the promises made in the manifesto.
Important milestones in the life of Nayab Singh Saini
• 2005: Became district president of BJP Yuva Morcha Ambala.
• 2009: Contested his first Assembly election from Narengarh; Failed.
• 2014: Narenkar wins Assembly seat; He became Minister of State.
• 2019: Wins Kurukshetra Lok Sabha constituency.
• October 2023: Appointed Haryana BJP president.
• March 12, 2024: Inauguration as Chief Minister of Haryana.
• October 8, 2024: BJP wins third consecutive assembly election.
• October 17, 2024: Inauguration as Chief Minister for the second time.
