Former Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar Sets To Be Inducted As Union Minister In Modi 3.0 Cabinet

Manohar Lal Khattar, the former Chief Minister of Haryana, is all set to be included in the union ministers when the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government’s council of ministers takes oath on Sunday.

Early Life and Political Journey:

Born into a Hindu Punjabi family that migrated to India during Partition, Khattar's upbringing was rooted in agricultural life. His father purchased agricultural land in Haryana, where Khattar assisted in farming during his youth. Despite these beginnings, his pursuit of higher education in New Delhi led him to a career in the cloth business before transitioning into politics.

As a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) pracharak, Khattar gained invaluable insights into the societal challenges faced by people across various strata. His extensive tenure saw him stationed in different regions, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of the state's dynamics.

Promoted To Modi 3.0 Cabinet:

Khattar's inclusion in the Union Cabinet signals a significant stride in his political journey, underscoring his enduring influence and commitment to public service. As he assumes this new responsibility, the nation anticipates the impact of his leadership on the country's governance landscape.

Despite this political shuffle, Khattar's influence remained evident as he secured victory in the recent Lok Sabha elections from the Karnal constituency, boasting an impressive margin of 2,32,577 votes.

Political Roles and Contributions: 

Prior to his tenure as Haryana BJP's general secretary (organisation) from 1994 to 2004, Khattar served as the zonal organising secretary for Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, and Haryana. Under his leadership, the BJP achieved notable success in the Lok Sabha elections in Haryana in 2014, securing victory in seven out of eight contested seats.

During his tenure as the chairman of the election campaign committee for the Lok Sabha elections in Haryana in 2014, the party displayed a great performance and won seven of the eight seats it contested.

A Dark Horse Turned Key Political Figure: 

Khattar, 70, rose to prominence when he became the first chief minister of a BJP government in Haryana following the party's standalone victory in 2019. However, his tenure took a surprising turn earlier this year when the party replaced him with Nayab Singh Saini for the CM's post, just months ahead of the Assembly elections.

During his tenure as chief minister, Khattar focused on implementing transparent systems for government job recruitment and online transfers of government employees, particularly teachers. However, his initiatives, such as the introduction of "complicated" family IDs (Parivar Pehchan Patras) and various web portals, drew criticism from the opposition.

Khattar's leadership faced challenges as well, notably amid farmer protests against three central farm laws in 2020–21. He also encountered opposition during the 'Dilli Chalo' protest in February this year, particularly from farmers in Punjab.