Political logic

It can be mechanically argued that if a first-time MP can become Prime Minister, a first- time MLA can be chief minister.

This is what has happened in Haryana. On Tuesday the BJP announced the name of Manoharlal Khattar as the party’s choice for the top job after an election which it won with elan.

And yet, it is evident that an untested entity has been catapulted to the CM’s chair on the strength of no other claim than his being a professional RSS pracharak, or propagandist or whole-time activist.

In contrast, when Narendra Modi campaigned to become PM, he had been CM for 10 years and spoke of the policy plans he had in mind.

Mr Khattar’s elevation can then be argued as being a case of short-changing the voters of the state.

If there had been the smallest whisper of his likely promotion, the poll result may have been impacted. People don’t like to root for greenhorns as CM.

Being just an ardent RSS man is not much of a qualification; indeed, some may worry it is a disqualification.

Mr Khattar will be the state’s first non-Jat CM in 18 years.

The BJP’s winning card was that it brought together social sections other than the Jats who seemed to be divided mainly between Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the incumbent CM when election was held, and Om Prakash Chautala, a former CM and keen contestant for the affection of the Jats.

To that extent a non-Jat CM has political logic. The point really was which one.