'He may have said so, but ...': Dharmendra Pradhan reacts to Anil Vij’s Haryana CM claim

NEW DELHI: Union minister and BJP's incharge for Haryana assembly polls, Dharmendra Pradhan affirmed on Sunday that Nayab Singh Saini is the party's chief ministerial candidate and expressed confidence that the BJP will secure a third consecutive victory in the state under his leadership.
"BJP's CM candidate is Nayab Singh Saini," Pradhan said.
His statement came after senior BJP leader Anil Vij expressed his intention to stake claim for the CM's post if the party returns to power after the October 5 assembly polls.
"Being a party worker he may have said so but Nayab Singh Saini is the BJP's CM face," Pradhan told reporters in Karnal when asked about Vij's comment.
Vij, a six-time MLA and former minister, earlier said that he would stake claim for the CM's position based on his seniority and the demand of the people. He said, "I never sought anything from the party till today, people from Haryana are coming to meet me. Even in Ambala, people tell me that I am the senior-most, so why did I not become the CM. On the people's demand and on the basis of seniority, this time I will stake claim to become chief minister."
However, Vij acknowledged that the party will make the final decision. "Whether the party makes me or not, it is up to them. But if they make me CM, I will change Haryana's 'takdeer and tasveer' (destiny and face of Haryana)," the Ambala Cantt MLA said.
Anil Vij was dropped from the Haryana Cabinet after Saini was sworn in as chief minister in March this year, replacing Manohar Lal Khattar.
Voting for the 90-member legislative assembly in Haryana will be held on October 5. Votes will be counted on October 8 along with that in Jammu and Kashmir.