Naib Saini is a charming personality like Urvashi – expert in the art of attracting MLAs of the opposition, especially from Congress – he has bypassed ex-CM Bhajan Lal, who was an expert in this art.
“Gustakhi Maaf, Haryana” — Pawan Kumar Bansal.
In Haryana’s political corridors, irony and intrigue continue to dominate the narrative.
Congress MLA Jarnail Singh, apparently hurt by allegations of cross-voting in the recent Rajya Sabha elections, struck a defiant yet poetic tone—suggesting the outrage around him is perhaps exaggerated, as if to say, “Why the uproar over something so minor?” (हंगामा है क्यों बरपा, थोड़ी सी जो पी ली है – सीएम सैनी से मुलाक़ात करके)
Singh went on to make a striking claim: praise for Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is not limited to a select few. According to him, legislators across party lines privately admire the Chief Minister. “It’s not just me,” he implied, “many Congress MLAs quietly meet Saini under the cover of night to get their work done.”
He cited examples to underline his point. Gokul Setia, he claimed, went as far as inviting Saini to his residence and extending warm personal gestures. In another instance, Saini himself visited former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda at his Rohtak residence, where he met Hooda’s son, Deepender Hooda, with notable humility.
Observers say Saini’s political style may echo that of former Chief Minister Bhajan Lal, who was known for maintaining cordial ties even with opposition MLAs. Veteran journalist Udayan Sharma once famously wrote that anyone who met Bhajan Lal one-on-one would either become his admirer or soften their criticism. Saini is acting like Urvashi, a prominent celestial nymph (apsara) in Hindu mythology, celebrated as the most beautiful and expert dancer in the court of Indra, the king of the gods. In Punjab, he looks like a Sikh.
Tailpiece:
At the cost of sounding self-referential, the writer notes—his pen, at least for now, remains unconvinced and untouched by the Chief Minister’s charm. Although he likes his quality of easy accessibility in meeting party workers, common people, and MLAs even of the opposition, contrary to his predecessor Manohar Lal, who was arrogant. Perhaps this is his USP.