In the heart of Haryana's political arena, BJP stalwart Anil Vij's discontent seems to be public knowledge. Amidst this, attempts to appease him range from the party high command to the new Chief Minister. Meanwhile, on Monday, former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar visited Ambala to meet with Anil Vij. He conveyed Holi greetings, and they both applied gulal to each other, marking the festival of colors. Following their meeting, Khattar shared, 'I have met several people in Chandigarh and Panchkula. I am here (in Ambala) to see Anil Vij.'
Let’s note that two weeks ago (March 12), Haryana's politics witnessed a significant upheaval. First, the alliance between BJP and JJP dissolved. Following which, Manohar Lal Khattar resigned from the post of CM. The quest for a new Chief minister began with the party electing the state president Naib Singh Saini as the new leader. Prior to that, Anil Vij walked out of the meeting and headed straight to Ambala in his private car. He didn't attend the oath-taking ceremony in the evening. Surprisingly, Vij didn't secure a spot in the new cabinet, even though his name was mentioned in the initial list of ministers. Later on, Khattar himself affirmed the rumors of Vij being upset. Nonetheless, Vij arrived in Chandigarh two days later and participated in the floor test. Ever since, there have been ongoing efforts to placate him.
'Upset with being left out of the decision-making loop?'
It is believed that Vij is upset about not being considered in selecting the new Chief Minister in place of Khattar. On Monday, the former CM Khattar also met Vij in Ambala and wished him well for the Holi festival. Khattar was en route from Chandigarh to Karnal and made a stop at Vij's Ambala Cantonment residence. The two leaders embraced each other and exchanged Holi greetings.
'We have been longtime associates'
After meeting Vij, Khattar said, 'I was traveling from Chandigarh to Karnal. I came here to convey Holi wishes to him. We've been colleagues in the cabinet for a long time and reminisced about some old times during our meet. When asked if Vij was upset, the former CM said there was no such thing. Khattar also mentioned that he has been meeting Vij regularly, even after the recent state events, and added, 'We have also been in touch over the phone.'
'I came here to seek blessings'
Five days ago, Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini met with former Home Minister Anil Vij. After meeting with Vij on Friday, CM Saini had said, 'I have come here to seek his blessings. He is our senior leader and we aim to win all 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana under his guidance.'
'He gets upset quite quickly'
On March 12, on the ocassion of Saini's swearing-in, when Khattar was asked if Vij's name was in contention for the Deputy Chief Minister's post, he said, 'Ministers were to take oath today and his (Vij's) name was on that list. But he could not make it.' When asked if Vij was upset, Khattar said, 'Anil Vij is our senior colleague. Sometimes he gets upset quickly but later returns to normal. There have been several instances in the past where Vij got upset over something but things normalized later.'
'The decision for the new CM came as a surprise'
Earlier on March 16, in an interaction with reporters, Vij had said, 'It was not known to me that our Chief Minister was being replaced. It was a shocking revelation that the Chief Minister is being changed.' He also mentioned that after the oath-taking ceremony of the new cabinet, no one engaged him in a conversation nor tried to appease him. Vij had proclaimed his dedication to the BJP and stated that circumstances keep changing but he will continue to work even harder for his party.
'No one talked to me'
When asked if anyone came to mollify him, Anil Vij responded, 'No, I am not even upset.' Vij noted that no one spoke to him following the swearing-in ceremony, although he attended the legislative session. He observed that everyone was present, yet nobody spoke to him.
'Naib Singh is like my younger brother'
Animated, Anil Vij remarked, 'Whatever is being done is being done well. They will run a good government. Naib Singh Saini is like our younger brother, and we hope he will do excellent work.' Following the breakup of BJP-JJP alliance before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Haryana, Naib Singh Saini now leads the newly formed government. Anil Vij was a part of the Manohar Lal Khattar cabinet and managed the duties of the Home Department.
'Surprised and silence broken: Anil Vij speaks out'
Anil Vij was said to be in the race for the Chief Ministerial post in 2014, but allegedly the party chose Manohar Lal Khattar, a first-time MLA, over him. Vij’s displeasure became publicly evident when he left the legislators’ meeting at Haryana Bhavan midway and did not appear at the new cabinet's swearing-in ceremony that evening.
