Panchkula, Haryana, October 18, 2024 – Former Deputy Chief Minister Anil Vij was sworn in as a cabinet minister in the newly formed Haryana government on Thursday, firmly dispelling rumors that he had ambitions to become Chief Minister.
Speaking to the media after the ceremony, Vij clarified his position, stating, “I had never said that I wanted to become the CM. Information was spread amongst my supporters and workers that Anil Vij doesn’t want to be the CM or doesn’t want to take any responsibility…Till now, I have done all the tasks that the party has given me. If the party gives me this responsibility, then I will fulfil it.”
Vij, a senior BJP leader from Ambala Cantt, took the oath alongside several other MLAs, including Shruti Choudhary, Krishan Lal Panwar from Israna, Rao Narbir Singh from Badshahpur, and Mahipal Dhanda from Panipat, in Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini’s newly assembled cabinet.
The oath ceremony, held at the Dussehra Ground in Panchkula’s Sector 5, was overseen by Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya. It marked the beginning of Saini’s second term as Chief Minister after leading the BJP to victory in the state’s assembly elections.
Several high-profile leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Rajiv Ranjan Singh, were in attendance for the occasion, highlighting the significance of the event.
The BJP secured its third consecutive term in Haryana, winning 48 out of the 90 seats in the recent assembly elections. The Congress followed closely, securing 37 seats.
Despite Vij’s denial of interest in the Chief Minister position, his earlier remarks during the election campaign had sparked speculation. At that time, he had confidently stated that the BJP would form the government in Haryana and suggested he might become CM due to his seniority within the party. “CM will be decided by the party if the party wants me, then our next meeting will be in the Chief Minister’s residence. I am the senior most in the party,” he had said.
For now, Anil Vij appears content with his ministerial responsibilities, while the BJP continues to govern Haryana under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.
Read Now:China Favors Kamala Harris Over Donald Trump in 2024 US Presidential Election
