Congress shifts strategy in Haryana: Kumari Selja sidelined as ‘Hooda is Congress’ approach takes center stage
PTC News Desk: Before the upcoming Haryana assembly elections, the Congress party has strategically marginalised Kumari Selja, a prominent Dalit leader and grassroots advocate, to reinforce the dominance of former Chief Minister Bhupendra Singh Hooda. The sidelining of Selja has been interpreted as a reflection of the party’s anti-Dalit stance and an effort to consolidate power within a select group of influential leaders.
Selja, who had been actively preparing for the elections, has been unexpectedly marginalised by the party leadership. This move appears to be a deliberate strategy influenced by the Hooda camp, which has systematically excluded Dalit and female leaders to centralise power among a few favored individuals.
‘Hooda is Congress, Congress is Hooda’
The Congress party in Haryana has increasingly come under Hooda’s control, with Selja’s political future becoming collateral damage. Despite her dedicated service and loyalty to the party, Selja’s diminishing role underscores the extent to which Hooda’s influence permeates the party’s structure. This shift has led to the slogan within the party that epitomises the current scenario: “Hooda hi Congress, Congress hi Hooda.”
Hooda loyalists dominating the candidate list
Evidence of this control is reflected in the Congress candidate list for Haryana’s 90 assembly seats. Out of the 89 seats the party is contesting, 72 candidates are closely aligned with Hooda, while only 9 are connected to Selja. This imbalance highlights how the Hooda camp’s influence has overshadowed other party members.
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Anti-dalit sentiment exposed
Recent events further illustrate the marginalisation of Selja. She had advocated for the party to endorse Vidya Rani Danoda from Narwana and Himmat Singh from Ambala City—candidates she publicly supported. However, the denial of these tickets underscores the Hooda camp’s control and the party’s reluctance to support a prominent Dalit leader.
Hooda’s camp and Congress leadership
While Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attempts to project himself as a champion of the oppressed, the suppression of Selja’s voice within the party exposes a deeper issue. The leadership’s unwillingness to challenge Hooda’s dominance suggests a prioritisation of political convenience over genuine representation for marginalised communities.
Selja’s disenfranchisement
Despite expressing interest in running for Chief Minister and contesting the assembly elections, Selja was denied a ticket, seemingly as part of a strategy to preempt her candidacy. This decision highlights a calculated move to sideline a key Dalit leader before the elections even began.
Strategic marginalisation
The sidelining of Kumari Selja by the Haryana Congress is not just a personal affront but part of a broader strategy to alienate a Dalit leader from the party’s mainstream. This maneuver reflects the Congress’s internal dynamics and the influence of Hooda’s camp.
Previous election patterns
The dominance of the Hooda faction was also evident in the Lok Sabha elections, where Selja criticised the ticket distribution process. She claimed that the skewed distribution favored Hooda’s allies and detracted from the party’s performance, indicating a recurring pattern of favoritism.
Overall, the Congress party’s handling of Selja’s role reveals a deeper issue within its ranks, exposing the party’s duplicity when it comes to providing genuine representation and addressing the needs of Dalits and other marginalised groups.