'I am senior-most': Haryana BJP's top leader Anil Vij stakes claim for CM post

His remarks come despite the BJP having already declared the incumbent Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, as their candidate for the role.

"I never sought anything from the party till today... But, this time, based on my seniority, I claim for the chief minister's post... people from Haryana are coming to meet me," the former Haryana Minister was quoted as saying by India Today. 

Even in Ambala, people tell me that I am senior-most why I did not become Chief Minister. On-demand of the people, and on the basis of seniority, this time I will stake claim to become chief minister."

"If the party appoints me as the Chief Minister of Haryana, I will change the destiny and picture of Haryana," Vij added.

In March this year, Anil Vij was left out of the new Haryana cabinet when Manohar Lal Khattar was replaced by Nayab Singh Saini as chief minister.

The BJP has nominated Vij for the Ambala Cantt Assembly seat, and he filed his nomination on September 11, accompanied by senior party leaders.

Polling in Haryana is scheduled for October 5, with vote counting set for October 8.

The BJP, under Nayab Singh Saini's leadership, is aiming for a third consecutive term in the state, while the Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led Congress is looking to reclaim power in the agriculture-driven state after a decade.