Haryana’s Energy, Transport, and Labour Minister Anil Vij has removed the word "minister" from his X bio, aiming to grow his social media presence under his personal name rather than his official title. The 72-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, boasting over 8 lakh followers on X, updated his profile on Tuesday from "Anil Vij, Minister, Haryana, India" to "Anil Vij, Ambala Cantt, Haryana, India". The move underscores his desire to connect with audiences as an individual, not reliant on governmental designations, amid a political career spanning seven terms as MLA from Ambala Cantonment.

“I want to grow my viewership as Anil Vij, not as a minister,” Vij told PTI on Thursday, noting that he joined social media platforms long before becoming a minister. “People know me as Anil Vij. The content I post and my viewership should be based on that, not on the fact that I am a minister,” he added, emphasising his independence from official tags.

Vij, a prominent BJP figure known for his outspoken style, clarified that this decision was unrelated to his recent allegations of a “parallel” BJP unit operating in Ambala Cantonment with the backing of senior party leaders, a claim that stirred controversy on September 12.

The timing of the bio change, which mirrors a similar update on his Facebook profile, has drawn attention as Haryana approaches assembly elections in October 2025. Vij’s September 12 X post accused unnamed detractors of undermining his influence in Ambala, prompting him to seek public suggestions on countering them. Political analysts see the bio tweak as a strategic move to reinforce his personal brand, leveraging his strong local connections and social media clout—evident from 6.5 million post impressions in 2025—amid intra-party tensions.

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Vij’s action reflects a broader trend among politicians using digital platforms to cultivate direct voter engagement, bypassing traditional party hierarchies. With Haryana’s BJP government, led by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, facing scrutiny over farmer unrest and unemployment, Vij’s focus on personal identity could signal a bid to strengthen his grassroots appeal ahead of the polls while navigating internal party dynamics.

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