Is Congress keeping political pot simmering over Chief Minister’s face in Haryana?

The Congress in Haryana is reportedly grappling with internal strife as the distribution of tickets for the October 5 Assembly elections has sparked tensions between key factions.
The grand old party’s leadership is attempting a delicate balancing act, particularly between former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and prominent Dalit leader Kumari Selja, a five-time Member of Parliament.
In an effort to project a united front, the Congress looks determined to avoid the appearance of infighting over the chief ministerial position. Senior party leaders have refrained from publicly endorsing any specific candidate for the Chief Minister post.
This strategic silence was evident when Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge fielded questions on the matter during a press briefing, emphasising that no decision would be made before the elections.
Sources revealed to India Today TV that any clear endorsement by the party high command could be interpreted as a signal for the Chief Minister’s candidacy, which might undermine the party’s overall electoral prospects.
The Congress leadership is wary of such an outcome and is striving to keep the focus on the party’s collective agenda rather than individual ambitions.
This balancing act was on full display during the recent launch of the party’s manifesto. Bhupinder Singh Hooda shared the stage with Kharge, underscoring the message of unity.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi is set to launch his campaign in Haryana’s Asandh constituency, where Selja’s loyalist Shamsher Singh Gogi is contesting. Similarly, plans are underway for a public meeting in Kaithal to support Randeep Singh Surjewala’s son, Aditya Surjewala, which may feature either the Gandhis or Kharge himself.
Kharge has consistently reiterated the party’s stance on collective leadership, stating that all major decisions, including the selection of a Chief Minister, would only be made after the elections.
This approach echoes the strategy Congress employed in Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, where the party entered the fray without projecting a specific Chief Minister candidate.
However, Kumari Selja’s dissatisfaction is becoming increasingly apparent. She has openly expressed her displeasure over what she perceives as an unfair advantage given to Hooda’s supporters in the ticket distribution process.
While Hooda remains a dominant figure, particularly among the Jat community, the Congress is also banking heavily on consolidating Dalit votes, making Selja’s support crucial in the agrarian state of Haryana.
Whether Rahul Gandhi’s involvement will help unify these warring factions remains to be seen.
For now, the Congress leadership appears content to keep the speculation alive regarding who might eventually emerge as the Chief Ministerial candidate — perhaps hoping that this ambiguity will help maintain a fragile balance until election day.