Haryana CM Nayab Saini calls Congress, INLD recruitment criticism a political stunt
Synopsis
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini went on the offensive on 18 May, branding Congress and INLD attacks on HPSC recruitment a 'political stunt' and defending merit-based hiring as a constitutional right — while also backing PM Modi's energy conservation appeal amid the Middle East-driven global crisis.
Key Takeaways
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini called opposition criticism of HPSC recruitment a 'political stunt' on 18 May 2025 .
He defended both HPSC and HSSC hiring as fully transparent and merit-based.
Saini argued that candidates from other states securing jobs in Haryana is a constitutional right .
He backed PM Modi's appeal for energy conservation amid a global crisis linked to Middle East tensions.
The CM accused the Congress of politicising both the energy crisis and inflation, citing eleven and a half years of controlled inflation under Modi.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday, 18 May dismissed opposition criticism of the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) recruitment process as 'merely a political stunt', asserting that hiring through both the HPSC and the Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC) is 'completely transparent' and strictly merit-based. The remarks were made to the media in Chandigarh in response to attacks from the Indian National Congress and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD).
Merit vs Legacy: What Saini Said
Chief Minister Saini argued that during the tenures of the Congress and the INLD, merit was never prioritised in government recruitment. He claimed this had so eroded public confidence that 'people had started believing that education and hard work would not help in securing jobs.' The current government, he said, introduced a transparent system under which 'any deserving youth can secure employment in Haryana on the basis of merit.'
Saini also addressed concerns over candidates from other states securing jobs in Haryana, framing it as a constitutional right. 'When youth from Haryana are getting jobs through UPSC and in states such as Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and others, then why should candidates from other states not get jobs in Haryana,' he said, adding that recruitment on merit is itself proof of the process's integrity.
Energy Crisis and PM Modi's Appeal
Responding to a separate question, Saini cited ongoing tensions in the Middle East as having triggered a global energy crisis. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to citizens to conserve energy and maximise use of walking, bicycles, trains, and other public transport, while limiting private vehicle use. The state government has additionally directed offices to hold meetings via virtual mode and adopt work-from-home practices wherever feasible.
Saini framed the energy situation as a global challenge requiring collective cooperation, stating: 'This is not a problem of one country or India alone, but a global issue.'
Congress Attacked on Inflation and COVID Response
Saini also took aim at the Congress over its criticism of current inflation levels, contending that 'inflation had become uncontrolled during the Congress regime.' He accused the party of 'indulging in politics' during a period that calls for national unity, drawing a parallel with what he described as the Congress's politicisation of the COVID-19 crisis. He credited Prime Minister Modi's policies with keeping inflation 'under control during the last eleven and a half years' and with steering the country through the pandemic.
What This Signals
The sharp exchange reflects the intensifying political rivalry in Haryana, where recruitment and employment remain deeply sensitive issues ahead of any electoral cycle. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government has staked considerable credibility on its claim of a corruption-free, merit-driven hiring process — and Saini's pushback signals it intends to defend that record aggressively against opposition pressure.
Point of View
And blanket claims of transparency without citing audit data or independent oversight do little to resolve public doubt. The constitutional argument for inter-state hiring is legally sound, yet it sidesteps the political reality that local employment anxiety runs deep in Haryana. Framing the energy conservation appeal as a Haryana-level endorsement of a national directive also stretches the news value — it is essentially a state government amplifying a Centre advisory, not a policy of its own.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini call opposition criticism a political stunt?
Saini said the Congress and INLD objections to HPSC recruitment were politically motivated rather than substantive, arguing that the current recruitment system is fully transparent and merit-based. He contended that the opposition parties themselves had ignored merit during their tenures in power.
What is the HPSC recruitment controversy in Haryana?
The Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) has faced criticism from the Congress and the INLD over its recruitment practices. The state government maintains that all hiring through both the HPSC and the HSSC is conducted purely on merit, with no room for favouritism.
Can candidates from other states apply for government jobs in Haryana?
Yes. Chief Minister Saini clarified that under the constitutional framework, any Indian citizen can seek employment in any state on the basis of capability and merit. He cited Haryana youth getting jobs in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat as a parallel.
What did Haryana CM say about the energy crisis?
Saini said the Middle East tensions have triggered a global energy crisis, and that PM Modi has appealed to citizens to conserve energy by using public transport and avoiding unnecessary private vehicle use. The state government has also asked offices to shift to virtual meetings and work-from-home where feasible.
What did Saini say about inflation and Congress?
Saini accused the Congress of hypocrisy on inflation, arguing that price rise was 'uncontrolled' during the Congress regime. He credited PM Modi's policies with keeping inflation in check over the past eleven and a half years and with managing the COVID-19 crisis effectively.
