Haryana Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Here are the key frontrunners in the CM's race

Reportedly, Khattar will likely contest from Karnal in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and his cabinet tendered their resignation to Governor Bandaru Dattatreya on March 12 amid reports of a rift in BJP's alliance with JJP.

Following Khattar's resignation, speculations are now high on the potential candidate for the CM post. The frontrunners include Haryana Home Minister Anil Vijj, Kurukshetra MP Nayab Singh Saini, and Karnal MP Sanjay Bhatia.

Anil Vij

Home Minister Vij may take charge as the 11th Chief Minister of the state. In 2019, he was re-elected for the sixth time as the MLA for Ambala Cantonment under the BJP. On October 26, 2014, Vij became a minister in the Haryana government. Vij was said to be one of Khattar's most active Cabinet colleagues. He regularly organised public interaction sessions, known as "janata darbars," at his residence in Ambala. In April 2023, Vij instructed the police leadership to suspend 372 investigating officers who failed to address pending complaints for over a year.

Also Read | Khattar's resignation, BJP-JJP split: What is happening in Haryana?

Nayab Singh Saini

Another potential candidate in discussion is the BJP's Kurukshetra MP Nayab Singh Saini. He is also considered a close associate of  Khattar. In October 2023, Saini, an OBC member, was appointed the BJP state unit president.  He replaced Om Prakash Dhankar.

The 53-year-old MP had briefly served at Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), establishing a close connection with former CM Khattar before eventually joining the BJP.

Sanjay Bhatia

The MP from Karnal constituency, Sanjay Bhatia, is also being seen as another frontrunner in the CM's race. It is worth mentioning, in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Bhatia achieved a record-breaking victory with a significant lead, securing 911,594 votes, while Congress' Kuldeep Sharma received 255,452 votes.

The 56-year-old MP has been associated with the BJP's student unit Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) since his college days. After becoming the Mandal Secretary in 1987, he became the district secretary of ABVP in 1989. In 1998, Bhatia was appointed as the state secretary of BJP Youth Morcha.