Kumari Selja or Deepender Hooda: Who Is The Chief Minister Face Of Congress In Haryana?

Congress party in Haryana is reportedly facing internal conflict, as the distribution of tickets for the October 5 Assembly elections created tensions among key factions. The party’s leadership is working to maintain a delicate balance, especially between former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and prominent Dalit leader Kumari Selja, who is a five-time Member of Parliament.

To present a united front, Congress is determined to avoid the perception of infighting regarding the chief ministerial position. Senior leaders have chosen not to publicly support any specific candidate for the Chief Minister role.

This strategic silence was evident when Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge addressed questions during a press briefing, highlighting that no decisions would be finalized before the elections.

The message of unity

According to reports, a clear endorsement from the party’s high command could be viewed as a signal for the Chief Minister’s candidacy, potentially jeopardizing the party’s overall electoral prospects. The Congress leadership is cautious about this outcome and is focused on the party’s collective agenda rather than individual aspirations.

This balancing act was clearly demonstrated at the recent launch of the party’s manifesto, where Bhupinder Singh Hooda shared the stage with Kharge, reinforcing the message of unity.

Following the Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh strategy on selection of Chief Minister

Kharge has consistently reiterated the party’s commitment to collective leadership, asserting that all significant decisions, including the selection of a Chief Minister, would only occur after the elections. This approach mirrors the strategy Congress utilized in Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, entering the elections without a specific Chief Minister candidate.

However, Kumari Selja’s discontent is becoming more evident, as she has expressed her dissatisfaction regarding what she views as an unfair advantage granted to Hooda’s supporters in the ticket distribution process.

Jats Vs Dalits: Congress treading a tight rope over Chief Minister candidate

While Hooda remains a significant figure, especially among the Jat community, the Congress is also heavily reliant on consolidating Dalit votes, making Selja’s support essential in Haryana.

It remains uncertain whether Rahul Gandhi’s involvement will assist in unifying these conflicting factions. For now, the Congress leadership seems content to keep speculation alive about who might eventually be the Chief Ministerial candidate, likely hoping that this ambiguity will help maintain a fragile balance until election day.

Read More: Haryana Assembly Elections 2024: Is There An Internal Rift In Congress?