Chandigarh, 12 February 2025: Haryana minister Anil Vij has responded to the BJP’s show-cause notice issued over his repeated criticism of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and state BJP president Mohan Lal Badoli.
However, Vij questioned how the notice was leaked to the media before he received it.
“The party needs to take a call on this. I read the notice through the media before it even reached me,” Vij said on Wednesday, adding that such a “sensitive document” being leaked required an internal probe.
The BJP issued the notice on Monday following instructions from party national president JP Nadda, asking Vij to submit a written explanation within three days. The 71-year-old, a seven-time MLA from Ambala Cantonment, sent his response after returning from a three-day visit to Bengaluru.
“I reached home on Tuesday night, took a cold-water shower, had dinner, and then sat down to write the reply. I sent it a day before the deadline. I also told them that if any further clarification is needed, I am ready to provide it,” he said.
When asked about the content of his response, he declined to share details. “No, that can’t be disclosed publicly. It was sent in a closed envelope,” he added.
The BJP’s notice had cited Vij’s public remarks against Badoli and the chief minister’s post, calling them serious violations of party policy and internal discipline. It stated, “We expect you to give a written explanation within three days.”
Tensions Amid Delhi Polls
The internal discord came at a time when Saini was leading the BJP’s Delhi assembly election campaign. Keen to avoid controversy during the polls, the party had dispatched state in-charge Satish Poonia to meet Vij last week, which initially led to a softening of his stance.
However, after the BJP secured victory in Delhi, Vij was officially served the notice.
Vij had previously shared images alleging that certain workers seen with a “friend” of Saini were also associated with an Independent candidate he had defeated in the October 2024 assembly elections.
He had also raised concerns over officials who allegedly worked against him in the polls, stating on January 31 that no action had been taken despite his complaints over the past 100 days.
His remarks on Saini also stirred controversy. “Since assuming office, he (Saini) has been on an ‘udan khatola’ (helicopter). If he comes down, he will see the suffering of the people,” he had said.
Badoli’s Legal Case Adds to Rift
Vij had also targeted Badoli, demanding his resignation as BJP’s state president after he was booked in a rape case, arguing that the party post should remain untarnished until his name was cleared.
However, the Himachal Pradesh Police later filed a cancellation report, citing lack of evidence and no truth in the allegations. Six individuals, including the woman who accused Badoli and singer Rocky Mittal, were recently booked for extortion and criminal intimidation.
This isn’t the first time Vij has been at odds with BJP leadership. He had also clashed with former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who now serves as the Union power and housing affairs minister.
