BJP's big move in Haryana: Khattar quits, OBC leader Nayab Saini sworn in as chief minister

Chandigarh: The BJP on Tuesday replaced Manohar Lal Khattar with OBC leader Nayab Singh Saini as Haryana's chief minister in a swift switch in the state, just weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

Saini, who is the party's state unit president, was sworn in as chief minister along with five ministers at a Raj Bhawan ceremony hours after the dramatic resignation of Khattar and his cabinet.

Saini said the party has given Governor Bandaru Dattatreya a list of 48-members who support the government, and asked him to summon a session of the assembly on Wednesday to prove its majority on the floor of the House.

The floor-test suggestion was made amid signs that the BJP-Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) alliance in the state might have ended, though there has been no formal announcement yet.

Anil Vij, who held the Home portfolio in the previous cabinet and was at loggerheads with Khattar, did not attend the swearing-in ceremony.

He is said to be upset. Vij had walked out of the legislature meeting where Saini was “unanimously” named CM-designate. (PTI)