Assembly elections: Infighting in Haryana Congress, 'upset' Kumari Selja gives campaigning a miss

With the assembly elections approaching, there are various reports of infighting in Congress with Kumari Selja camp accusing of step-motherly treatment. However, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram asserted that the Haryana Congress was not a divided house and would fight the October 5 state assembly elections unitedly.

"My good friend (Kumari) Selja ji has not said a single word against Mr (Bhupinder Singh) Hooda, nor has Mr Hooda said a word against Ms Selja. So we are a united party. We will fight this election in a united manner. We are confident that we will have the support of the people of Haryana," he said.

What is the reason for anger?

According to sources except Bhupinder Singh Hooda, all other leaders were ignored in ticket distribution. Kumari Selja herself wanted to contest from Uklana but the party did not give her a ticket. The party was ready to give her nephew Harsh a ticket from Uklana but the Congress leader did not agree to this.  In the list of Congress candidates, out of 90, only 7 candidates are considered close to Kumari Selja, which includes four sitting MLAs and 3 new faces. Out of 90, around 78 candidates are from the Hooda faction, 7 Selja, 2 Surjewala and some candidates have been decided by the high command who are not close to any of these leaders.

Earlier, Bhupindra Singh Hooda in an exclusive interview with India TV said, "There is no difference of opinion. Whatever decision the party takes, everyone accepts it." On Kumari Selja's claim for the post of CM, Hooda said, "There is goodness in every human being. The MLAs who will be elected, the observers who will come, their opinion will be taken. Then the high command will decide." On 78 out of 90 tickets being given to his supporters, he said, "Congress had made a policy that tickets should be given to those who are winnable and sustainable, they have got the tickets. They are strong candidates of Congress.