Haryana’s Energy and Transport Minister Anil Vij has again shown a warning attitude to the government. Vij wrote on social media – “I do not speak, my soul speaks and the voice of the soul cannot be suppressed”.
This statement of Vij has come after the government’s action, in which the government has removed Ambala DC Parth Gupta after Vij was accused of trying to defeat him in the election.
At the same time, the government has also chargesheeted Sirsa’s Hafed manager Mukesh Kumar. Apart from this, Mukesh’s headquarters has also been changed. In fact, in the Grievances Committee meeting held in Sirsa 2 months ago, Haryana Seed Development Corporation (HSDC) Chairman Dev Kumar had complained about him to Vij.
Vij had then ordered action but nothing happened. However, now seeing his attitude, the officers have come into action.
First of all, read the two statements given back to back by Anil Vij.
Date: 30 January
Anil Vij said- “Now I will not attend the meeting of the Grievances Committee, because the orders issued in this meeting are not followed. Like Dallewal (farmer leader), I will also sit on a hunger strike for the rights of Ambala.”
Date: 31 January
Anil Vij said- “I have already written about those who tried to defeat me in the elections, 100 days have passed, no action has been taken. Our Chief Minister has been on a flying bed ever since he became the Chief Minister. When he comes down, look at the public.”
As soon as Anil Vij’s second statement came, the government removed Ambala’s Deputy Commissioner (DC) Parth Gupta. It was clear that the government could not bear the displeasure of the state’s Energy and Transport Minister Anil Vij for long.
The question is what is it that despite Anil Vij’s sharp attitude towards his own government, he not only remains in the party but is also made a minister in the government. Then the government also has to bow before him. 6 major reasons are being considered for this…
1. Handled big ministries, no stain of corruption
In 2014, when BJP formed a full majority government in the state for the first time, Anil Vij became a cabinet minister in it. He was again made a minister in the 2019 government. During this time he held big ministries like Home, Health, Transport.
Despite this, he was never accused of any corruption. Because of this, Anil Vij is considered a leader of honest image not only in Haryana but also in other states. Despite his outspoken attitude, the party leaders respect him.
2. Associated with RSS since college time
Anil Vij has been associated with RSS since college time. He joined ABVP during his studies. In 1970, he became the General Secretary of ABVP. He actively worked with Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bharat Vikas Parishad and other such organisations. Vij started working in State Bank of India in 1974, but remained associated with BJP.
When Sushma Swaraj was elected to Rajya Sabha in 1990, the Ambala Cantonment seat became vacant. Anil Vij resigned from his bank job and contested the by-election from Sushma Swaraj’s seat. Anil Vij won this by-election. In 1991, he was made the state president of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.
3. Senior party leader, became MLA for the 7th time
Anil Vij became MLA for the first time in 1990 by winning the by-election. However, after this he left the party. In 1996 and 2000, he won the election as an independent candidate. In the year 2005, he faced defeat. In 2009, he contested and won the election from Ambala Cantt on BJP ticket. Since then he has been winning elections continuously. This time he won the election from Ambala Cantt for the 7th time. That is why his image is that of the number two leader in the government after the CM.
4. If he was not made CM, he did not question the central leadership
In 2014, BJP brought majority alone in the state. Then there was discussion everywhere that Anil Vij could be the next Chief Minister. However, suddenly the name of Manohar Lal Khattar, who became an MLA for the first time, came forward. Vij remained a cabinet minister. But he never questioned the decision of the central leadership.
He also claimed the CM post in the 2024 elections. Vij said that I am claiming according to seniority. When he was told that Amit Shah has declared Nayab Saini as the CM face, Vij said that he was just responding to the rumours, which said that Vij does not want to become the Chief Minister. Vij had also said that he would not do any lobbying for this.
5. Vij is definitely angry but not rebellious
Anil Vij is definitely angry with the government but he never shows rebellious attitude towards the government or the party. On March 12, 2024, when Manohar Lal Khattar resigned and Naib Saini was elected as the new CM, Vij got angry with this. He got up from the legislature party meeting in Chandigarh and went straight to Ambala to eat golgappas.
In this resentment, Vij did not even accept the ministerial post in Saini’s first term. When he was asked about this, Vij said- “Such a big decision was taken and no one even told me”. When questioned about the displeasure with the party, Vij said- “I am a devotee of BJP. Circumstances keep changing. I have worked for BJP in every situation. I will do it now also and will do it many times more than before.”
6. Good hold in the central leadership
Anil Vij also has a good hold in the central leadership. He is considered to have domestic relations with the party’s national president JP Nadda. Apart from this, he is in constant touch with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari. After becoming a minister in the new government, Anil Vij has made three visits to Delhi, where he directly met many central leaders including the PM.
Anil Vij has been angry earlier too
1. After the BJP came to power again in 2019, Vij was made the Home Minister, but the CID was reporting to the then CM Manohar Lal instead of Vij. Vij got angry with this. Later Manohar Lal separated the CID from the Home Department.
2. After Vij took over the Home Department in the last term, a list of IPS transfers was sent from the CMO. Vij returned it. Said why did not discuss it earlier. The then CM Manohar Lal called him to Chandigarh and calmed the matter.
3. Vij also had a score of 36 with the then DGP Manoj Yadav. As soon as Yadav completed 2 years, Vij wrote to the government to relieve him. Even after this, he remained in the post for 2-3 months more. After this, he went back on deputation to the Center.
4. In the second term of Manohar Lal Khattar, Vij was adamant about removing DG Health. During this time, Vij did not see a single file of the Health Department for a month. Seeing Vij’s displeasure, Manohar Lal Khattar replaced the DG Health.
5. On March 12, 2024, when it was announced that Naib Singh Saini would be made the CM in place of Manohar Lal, Vij left the meeting in anger. Then he did not even become a minister. He did not even go to the swearing-in ceremony.
