Haryana State BJP president and MP, Nayab Singh Saini, was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Haryana after Manohar Lal and his Council of Ministers resigned on Tuesday as the strained ruling coalition of the BJP and the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) broke apart, amid differences over seat-sharing for the general election.

The new Chief Minister inducted five MLAs, including an independent, into the Cabinet. Governor Bandaru Dattatreya administered the oath of office and secrecy to all of them. The MLAs include Kanwar Pal, Mool Chand, Banwari Lal, Jai Parkash Dalal — all from the BJP — and Ranjit Singh (Independent).

Mr. Saini is an Other Backward Class (OBC) leader, and by appointing him, it appears the BJP is attempting to firm up its hold and consolidate its position among the OBCs, who account for around 40% of the State’s population, ahead of the 2024 parliamentary and Assembly polls.

Notably, former Home Minister Anil Vij was conspicuously absent at the oath ceremony, triggering speculations about his being annoyed.