Haryana CM Nayab Saini expands Cabinet, inducts 8 ministers

PTC Web Desk: The Haryana Government, led by Nayab Singh Saini, underwent its first Cabinet expansion on Tuesday, with the induction of eight MLAs as ministers. Governor Bandaru Dattatreya presided over the oath-taking ceremony at Raj Bhawan in Chandigarh.

Kamal Gupta, BJP MLA from Hisar and a former minister in the ML Khattar Cabinet, was the first to be sworn in as a Cabinet minister, delivering his oath in Sanskrit. Subsequently, Seema Trikha from Badkhal, Mahipal Dhanda from Panipat Rural, Aseem Goel from Ambala City, Abhe Singh Yadav from Nangal Chaudhary, Subhash Sudha from Thanesar, Bishamber Singh Balmiki from Bawani Khera, and Sanjay Singh from Sohna were sworn in as Ministers of State (Independent Charge). Former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar also attended the ceremony.

Earlier, talking about the expansion, former Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij, who abstained from Nayab Singh Saini's swearing-in, had said, "I have no information," reiterating his lack of discontent.

Addressing mediapersons after paying obeisance at at Nada Sahib Gurdwara in Panchkula, Chief Minister Saini affirmed Vij's stature as a respected leader, acknowledging consistent guidance received from him. 

Notably, Anil Vij exited the legislature party meeting where Nayab Singh Saini was unanimously appointed as the Chief Minister-designate. Known for his previous tenure as the home portfolio holder in the Manohar Lal Khattar government, Vij often clashed with the former CM and was reportedly disgruntled over perceived neglect by the BJP.

In an unexpected move, the BJP replaced Manohar Lal Khattar with OBC leader Nayab Singh Saini as Haryana's CM, just weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Saini, who serves as the party's state unit president, assumed office as CM last week, alongside five ministers, following ML Khattar's resignation. The Saini government secured a vote of confidence during a special session of the state Assembly last Wednesday.

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