Chandigarh: The Congress is facing a fresh crisis in Haryana as internal tensions rise, with Sirsa MP Kumari Selja reportedly upset over her faction’s lack of prominence in ticket distribution. Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has seized the opportunity, publicly inviting Selja to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a move that could significantly impact the upcoming state assembly elections.
Selja Snubbed in Congress Ticket Distribution
Polling for the 90-member Haryana Assembly is set for October 5, and the Congress is grappling with internal discord. Kumari Selja, a prominent Dalit leader, is reportedly displeased with the party’s ticket distribution. Of the 89 tickets announced, the Selja faction was allotted only nine seats, while the Bhupinder Hooda faction secured 72, and the Randeep Surjewala faction received two.
Selja’s displeasure became apparent when she did not appear at the Congress manifesto launch, though her name remains on the list of star campaigners. Sources suggest she has been sidelined, despite her earlier claims to the chief ministerial position.
Khattar’s Political Play: An Offer to Join BJP
Amidst Selja’s discontent, BJP’s Manohar Lal Khattar extended a public invitation to Selja to join the BJP, arguing that she was being humiliated within the Congress. Speaking at an election rally in Karnal’s Gharaunda, Khattar said, “Kumari Selja is being insulted in the Congress, and this is an insult to all oppressed communities. I would like Selja to join the BJP and work with us.”
Khattar also criticised the internal dynamics of the Haryana Congress, accusing it of being run by “just two people,” referring to Bhupinder Hooda and his son, Deepender Hooda, who are said to be vying for the chief ministerial position.
Will Selja’s Displeasure Hurt Congress in Haryana?
Kumari Selja’s political influence in Haryana is significant, particularly among Dalit voters, who make up nearly 20 per cent of the state’s population. Her father, Chaudhary Dalbir Singh, was a veteran Congress leader, and Selja herself has served as a minister in the Manmohan Singh government. Currently representing Sirsa in the Lok Sabha, she has also previously won from Ambala, another stronghold.
Selja’s stature as a Dalit leader and her hold over 17 reserved assembly seats in Haryana make her a crucial figure in the state’s politics. In the recent Lok Sabha elections, the Congress saw a 68 per cent turnout of Dalit votes, a significant 40 per cent increase from 2019. Selja’s influence was a key factor in this shift.
The discontent within the Congress and Khattar’s overtures come at a critical time for the party, which has been trying to end its 10-year political exile in the state. Analysts suggest that if Selja’s displeasure persists, it could lead to a significant loss of support in key constituencies, particularly in Ambala and Sirsa, where her faction holds considerable sway.
Congress’s Challenge Ahead of the 2024 Elections
With 90 seats up for grabs in the Haryana Assembly, any erosion of support could be damaging for the Congress. The BJP won 40 seats in the 2019 assembly elections and formed the government with the help of Independents and JJP MLAs. Meanwhile, the Congress, struggling with internal divisions, is trying to reclaim its foothold in the state.
In 2014, the BJP led in 44 assembly segments, with the Congress leading in 42 and the AAP in four. As Haryana gears up for the 2024 polls, the rift within the Congress and Khattar’s invitation to Selja underline the high stakes and the shifting dynamics in this politically crucial state.
Selja’s next move could prove pivotal, not just for her political future, but also for the broader electoral landscape in Haryana, as both Congress and BJP battle to secure crucial votes in the upcoming elections.
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