The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has cemented its political dominance in Haryana by employing a well-thought-out strategy that hinges on strengthening its support base through a comprehensive focus on development and socio-economic welfare. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the BJP has effectively aligned its policies to address the needs of the state’s diverse population, ensuring that both rural and urban voters find their aspirations fulfilled.
The contest between the BJP and Congress in Haryana was highly competitive, with the BJP securing 39.94% of the vote share, narrowly edging out Congress, which garnered 39.09%. This slim margin highlights the intense political rivalry in the state, where both national parties remain closely matched in voter support. BJP improved its vote share by 2.94% compared to 2019, reflecting its strengthened support base and effective campaign strategies. This increase played a crucial role in maintaining the party’s competitive edge against Congress in the state.
The BJP’s return to power in Haryana for a third consecutive term, securing 48 out of 90 Assembly seats, was further bolstered by its breakthrough in nine constituencies where it had never won before. These key victories came from Tosham, Narwana, Gohana, Samalakha, Kharkhoda, Safidon, Barwala, Dadri, and Faridabad NIT. This expansion into new territories highlights the party’s growing appeal across diverse regions of the state and underscores the effectiveness of its strategies under the leadership of Nayab Singh Saini.
A central aspect of the BJP’s success in Haryana has been its relentless pursuit of development. Nayab Singh Saini’s administration has continued to push forward the agenda of improving infrastructure, bolstering industrial growth, and creating employment opportunities. From enhancing the state’s road networks to making Haryana a preferred destination for industrial investments, Saini’s leadership has ensured that development is not merely a slogan but a reality for the state’s citizens.
Saini has overseen significant progress in projects aimed at rural and urban development alike. Initiatives focusing on irrigation, better connectivity, and public service delivery have resonated with voters. Under his leadership, Haryana has seen an influx of investments, which has created jobs and further strengthened the state’s economic standing.
A major factor contributing to BJP’s success in Haryana is its focus on socio-economic welfare. The government under Saini has ensured that a range of welfare schemes launched at both the national and state levels reach the grassroots. Programs like Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Ayushman Bharat, and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana have been effectively implemented, benefiting farmers, laborers, and lower-income families across the state.
One of the standout aspects of Saini’s leadership has been his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of marginalized communities, including backward classes, scheduled castes, and women. Haryana has also seen success with the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative, addressing long-standing gender inequalities, particularly in rural areas. By focusing on inclusive development, the BJP has widened its support base, appealing to a larger cross-section of the population.
Another significant factor in the BJP’s electoral success in Haryana is its well-organized grassroots machinery. The BJP has perfected its strategy of booth management and voter outreach through initiatives like the “panna pramukh” model, where dedicated workers at the local level engage with voters directly, addressing their concerns and keeping them connected with the party.
Large-scale door-to-door campaigning in the final month proved crucial in helping the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) overcome anti-incumbency in southern Haryana, according to party workers. The BJP’s grassroots mobilization was further strengthened by close coordination between party functionaries and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) workers. Traditionally, the BJP conducts door-to-door meetings to motivate voters to cast their ballots in the interest of the nation. However, this time the party faced challenges in contesting the election, prompting a significant mobilization of thousands of RSS swayamsevaks from shakhas across the state. These volunteers engaged in door-to-door meetings for nearly a month, which played a crucial role in shifting the mood of the voters and ultimately contributed to the BJP’s electoral success. This combined effort played a significant role in propelling the party to a third consecutive electoral victory in the state.
Nayab Singh Saini has also prioritized strengthening the party’s local leadership. By empowering local leaders and ensuring that they have the tools and resources needed to address the needs of their constituencies, the BJP has maintained a continuous and direct connection with voters across the state. This grassroots strength has helped the party mobilize voters effectively, even in areas where traditional loyalties were divided.
Nayab Singh Saini’s clean image, pragmatic governance, and focus on development have made him a respected figure in Haryana’s political landscape. His commitment to transparency and good governance, along with a results-oriented approach, has created a sense of trust among the electorate. Saini’s leadership has also emphasized digital governance, ensuring that the benefits of government schemes reach the people with greater efficiency.
Under his stewardship, the BJP has successfully woven the narrative of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas (Together with all, Development for all, Trust of all) into its governance framework. This inclusive approach has helped solidify the party’s position as the preferred choice for voters seeking growth and stability.
In Haryana, where caste plays a pivotal role in both life and politics, Nayab Singh Saini’s appointment as Chief Minister proved to be a strategic move for the BJP. Historically, Jats, who make up around 26-27% of the state’s population, have dominated political power. Congress relied heavily on this voting bloc, but under Saini’s leadership, the BJP focused on consolidating non-Jat votes.
Saini, hailing from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community, which constitutes about 40% of Haryana’s population, brought a significant advantage. While his predecessor, Manohar Lal Khattar, was also a non-Jat, Khattar belonged to the smaller Khatri community. Saini’s OBC background, although not overtly highlighted, played a key role in rallying support.
Saini implemented a series of measures aimed at appealing to the OBC community, including raising the income limit for the OBC creamy layer, offering subsidized LPG cylinders at Rs 500, providing free 100-square-yard plots to families below the poverty line, granting free bus travel up to 1,000 km, and assuring jobs for Agniveers. These initiatives contributed to the BJP’s success, helping the party win at least 10 seats in regions where it had never previously triumphed.
Saini’s calculated approach not only strengthened the BJP’s non-Jat base but also shifted the political landscape in the state.
By addressing the specific needs of various voter segments and ensuring inclusive policies, the BJP has managed to build a coalition of supporters across caste and community lines. This broad support base has played a key role in ensuring consistent electoral victories.
As Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini has focused on unifying various factions within the Haryana BJP. When senior Cabinet Minister Anil Vij expressed displeasure after Saini’s elevation, Saini quickly visited him in Ambala to seek his blessings, embodying his philosophy of “taking everyone along.” This inclusive approach has helped Saini maintain internal harmony within the party.
Beyond party dynamics, Saini has also made efforts to engage with disgruntled farmers, often referring to them as ‘mere bhai’ (my brothers). His government has backed these words with tangible actions, such as announcing a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for 10 additional crops. In a strategic move just before the elections, the government highlighted that Haryana had offered its farmers higher MSP rates than neighboring Punjab, demonstrating Saini’s commitment to addressing farmers’ concerns and building bridges with the agricultural community.
The BJP’s success in Haryana, under the leadership of Nayab Singh Saini, is a testament to its strategic focus on development, socio-economic welfare, and strong grassroots organization. By ensuring that government policies directly improve the lives of citizens and addressing the aspirations of various communities, the BJP has strengthened its supporter base. As the party continues to deliver on its promise of development and good governance, its electoral dominance in Haryana appears set to continue.
