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Mohan Lal Badoli Frontrunner, But Race Remains Open

Chandigarh: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has begun the final countdown for the appointment of its new Haryana state president, with the entire selection process expected to be completed by Monday.

Party sources said the central leadership will issue the election schedule on Sunday, along with the appointment of a central observer. The formal announcement of the new state president is likely to follow on Monday. The post is currently held by Mohan Lal Badoli, who has already received the central leadership’s go-ahead for a second term. However, several senior leaders are also said to be in the fray, making the contest far from one-sided.

According to sources, Badoli met a senior central leader in Delhi late Friday night, following which it was decided to issue the election notification and conclude the process by Monday. Once the notification is issued, aspirants will file their nominations in the presence of the observer. After scrutiny, a single name will be finalised.

Arun Singh Appointed Central Observer

The BJP had already initiated the process in March, appointing national general secretary Arun Singh as the central observer for the Haryana BJP president’s election. The announcement of the state observer is now awaited. After nominations and scrutiny, a meeting chaired by Arun Singh will be held, during which the new state president’s name will be formally declared.

117 Voters to Decide Haryana BJP President

The election involves 117 organisational voters, including:

• 27 district presidents

• 90 assembly constituency (mandal/halka) presidents

These voters may be called to the BJP’s state offices in  Panchkula to complete the process.

Key Contenders at a Glance

Mohan Lal Badoli (Incumbent)

Currently serving as state BJP president, Badoli enjoys strong coordination with Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. Under his leadership, the BJP won five Lok Sabha seats and formed the government for a record third consecutive term in Haryana with a full majority. He is well-connected with central leaders. His name has figured in the Kasauli gangrape case—he has received relief from one court, while proceedings continue in another.

Sanjay Bhatia

A prominent Punjabi face of the party, Bhatia was earlier the Karnal MP, but his ticket was denied in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in favour of Manohar Lal Khattar. He was also not fielded in the Assembly elections, leading to speculation that the party may accommodate him in the organisation.

Aseem Goyal

Former state minister from Ambala City during Nayab Saini’s first term, Goyal later lost his election. Known to be close to the Chief Minister, he was earlier considered for the general secretary’s post but is now actively lobbying for the state president’s position.

Sudesh Kataria

A senior Dalit leader, Kataria, is close to former CM and current Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Over the past year, he has led a ‘Save the Constitution’ campaign across the state. Known for his clean image and grassroots work, he is considered a serious contender.

Ajay Gaur

Gaur entered politics with backing from a Union minister in Faridabad and came into close contact with Manohar Lal Khattar in 2014. Khattar is said to have personally recommended his name to the central leadership, placing Gaur among the key aspirants.