Know Your Minister: Anil Vij - Seven-Time MLA

The seven time MLA of Haryana, Anil Vij was born on March 15, 1953, in Ambala Cantt; his political journey began in the corridors of SD College, where he emerged as a prominent student leader. He got appointed as ABVP's General secretary in 1920 which marked the beginning of lifelong commitment to public service. His appointment as ABVP's General Secretary in 1970 marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to public service. Despite securing a comfortable position at the State Bank of India in 1974, Vij's political aspirations remained steadfast, leading to his first electoral victory in 1990.

Political Journey

Anil Vij's political journey is marked by remarkable persistence and consistency. Anil Vij secured his first major political victory in the year 1990 by winning a by-election from Ambala cantonment when Sushma Swaraj vacated her seat upon her election to Rajya Sabha. The BJP had asked him to leave his State Bank of India job to contest this election as they had faith in his potential.

Marking his rising influence in state politics, he was appointed as the State President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha in 1991. Interestingly in years 1996 and 2000, he contested and won as an independent candidate, demonstrating his strong political connection with the voters of his constituency without party backing.

Anil Vij faced a setback in his career when he lost the election in 2005. However, he bounced back strongly in 2009, winning as BJP's candidate. 

Anil Vij secured consecutive victories in 2014 and 2019 from the same constituency. During the government formation in 2014 he was considered as a strong candidate for the Chief Minister position, particularly when the party was juggling between a punjabi and jat candidate. Although he lost his chance to serve as a Chief Minister to first time MLA Manohar Lal Khattar, he served as Home Minister and Health Minister during that term.

In the recent 2024 election, he secured his seventh victory from Ambala Cantonment by a margin of 7,248 votes, cementing his position as one of Haryana's most consistent political performers. Throughout his political career, spanning over three decades, Vij has maintained a clean legal record and currently has zero cases against him, a rare feat in Indian politics. 

Principled Politics: Choosing Values Over Power

What sets Vij apart in Haryana's political landscape is his unwavering commitment to principles. In both 1996 and 2000, he made the remarkable decision to decline ministerial positions offered by Bansi Lal's and Om Prakash Chautala's governments respectively, prioritizing ideological integrity over political gains. This steadfast approach has earned him respect across party lines and established him as a unique voice in state politics.

Innovation in Governance and Campaign Strategy

The 2024 assembly elections showcased Vij's innovative approach to politics. Breaking away from traditional campaign methods, he ran a focused campaign centered entirely on local development issues, deliberately avoiding national themes and high-profile rallies. "I wanted to test whether my constituency values actual development work," Vij explained following his seventh consecutive victory from Ambala Cantt.

Transformative Leadership in Current Roles

As the current minister for Transport, Energy, and Labor, Vij has initiated several groundbreaking reforms:

In transportation, he personally traveled by state bus to understand public concerns, leading to comprehensive improvements in bus stand facilities and service quality. Under his energy portfolio, he's pushing for 100,000 solar connections by March 2025, emphasizing on sustainable development. His approach to labor welfare prioritizes workers' rights over industry interests, marking a significant shift in policy focus. 

National Influence and Modi Connection 

Vij's political influence extends beyond Haryana, particularly through his long-standing association with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Their relationship, dating back to the BJP's Kashmir tiranga yatra, has evolved into a strong working partnership, evidenced by their collaborative approach to state-center projects and policy implementation.

Vision for Future

Despite being one of the senior-most leaders in Haryana politics, Vij maintains his characteristic hands-on approach to governance. His recent initiatives, including the modernization of public transport and emphasis on solar energy, reflect his commitment to combining traditional values with modern governance needs.