BJP’s hits and misses after one year in power

On October 8, 2024, the BJP scripted a historic hat-trick in Haryana, winning a third straight Assembly election. One year later, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini’s government presents a mixed report card — showcasing welfare schemes and fulfilled promises even as it grapples with bureaucracy, internal rifts and the looming shadow of former CM Manohar Lal Khattar.

Taking charge on October 17 last year, Saini moved swiftly to deliver on key commitments in the sankalp patra. Subsidised LPG cylinders at Rs 500 for 15 lakh women, 25,000 job appointment letters, free dialysis for 20,000 kidney patients and the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes in job quotas have given the government talking points. The flagship Deen Dayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana, granting Rs 2,100 monthly to eligible women, has been projected as a political game-changer — rolled out ahead of neighbouring Punjab, where the BJP is eager to challenge AAP in 2027.

Yet, the government’s first year has not been without strain. Despite his easy smile and outreach, Saini has found it difficult to emerge fully from Khattar’s shadow. The Union minister’s larger-than-life persona and his network of trusted officers continue to influence the state’s decision-making, forcing Saini into a delicate balancing act to keep senior leaders in good humour while asserting his own authority.

The bureaucracy too has proven hard to tame. Public representatives, including MPs and MLAs, regularly complain about “shoddy service delivery,” particularly in towns and cities stretched thin on civic amenities. “We feel helpless in addressing basic urban needs,” admitted one ruling party legislator.

Within the BJP, discontent simmers over appointments to boards and corporations. Several posts have gone to ‘parachute leaders’ who crossed over before last year’s polls, sidelining veterans. Many senior leaders remain unadjusted, fuelling resentment in the ranks. The delay in appointing a new state BJP president has only added to the unease. Nearly six months after appointing general secretary Arun Singh to oversee the process, the party is yet to announce a consensus candidate. While the high command’s word is rarely questioned, leaders insist Khattar and other heavyweights must be consulted. Municipal elections, the Indo-Pak conflict and a lack of urgency are being cited as reasons for the hold-up.

Still, the BJP has reasons to feel confident. A subdued Opposition and the momentum of a “triple-engine” government — at the Centre, state and in urban bodies — provide it with breathing space. Welfare measures, especially the Lado Lakshmi Yojana, have helped the party strengthen its connect with women and underprivileged groups. By positioning these as part of the “Haryana model,” the BJP hopes to use the state as a launchpad for its expansion into Punjab.

The road ahead, however, will test Saini’s leadership. He must balance Khattar’s towering legacy, rein in the bureaucracy, manage cadre expectations, and project himself as more than just a stopgap CM. For the BJP, the first year has shown both the rewards and the risks of running Haryana in its third term.