Haryana CM Nayab Saini's Cabinet Expansion Today

In a significant development, the Nayab Singh Saini government in Haryana is set to undergo its first cabinet expansion today. This move comes just days after Saini took oath as the CM, along with five ministers, following the resignation of Manohar Lal Khattar.

The expansion is expected to see the induction of six to seven new MLAs into the cabinet, as per reliable sources. Among the potential candidates are Kamal Gupta, a former minister in the Khattar cabinet and MLA from Hisar, along with Abhe Singh Yadav, Seema Trikha, Subhash Sudha, and Bishamber Singh Balmiki. 

The decision to expand the cabinet signals a strategic move by the ruling BJP ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Haryana. CM Nayab Saini, accompanied by Haryana Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta and BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Ambala, Banto Kataria, is scheduled to visit Karnal today. The visit will coincide with BJP President JP Nadda's launch of the party's campaign for the Lok Sabha elections in Haryana.

However, the cabinet expansion comes amidst speculations and hints of discord within the party ranks. Former minister Anil Vij, who notably skipped Saini's swearing-in ceremony, expressed no prior knowledge of the expansion. Despite this, he emphasised that he harboured no grievances and hailed Vij as a respected leader, indicating a semblance of unity within the party.

Moreover, questions loom regarding the allocation of ministerial berths, considering the necessity to maintain caste equilibrium and ensure regional representation. With the model code of conduct in force, the government has sought necessary permissions and consultations with Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Agarwal.

Haryana, with a maximum capacity of 14 ministers including the CM, currently operates with only five ministers from the BJP and one Independent. The impending expansion aims to fill the existing vacancies and bolster the state government's administrative capabilities.

As the political landscape in Haryana undergoes a transformation, the cabinet expansion today will not only shape the course of governance but also set the tone for the BJP's electoral strategy in the upcoming polls. All eyes are on Nayab Saini as he navigates through the intricacies of power dynamics within the party and state administration.