After discontent within the BJP over ticket allocation came to the fore, the Congress seems to have opted for a strategic delay in announcing its candidate list for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. With the party’s Central Election Committee having already cleared 66 candidates, including all sitting MLAs, the Congress is holding back its release to avoid a similar internal rebellion.
Party sources indicate that the leadership is carefully watching the growing unrest in the BJP and using the delay to deliberate over the remaining 24 seats. On Thursday, a sub-committee of senior Congress leaders, including MPs from Haryana, began discussions to finalize candidates for these pending seats.
“We’ve provided our input, and all party leaders are offering their suggestions. Decisions will be taken collectively, with MPs weighing in on all 90 seats, not just the remaining 24,” said Kumari Selja, Congress MP from Sirsa. While speculation swirled over whether wrestling champions Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia would receive tickets, Congress leaders, including Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda, remained tight-lipped on the matter. Capt Ajay Yadav, Chairman of the OBC Department, expressed his view that the OBC and backward classes should be given priority in ticket distribution.
While Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda said that the deliberations for the remaining seats were going on and the party will release the list once it is finalized. Even the party leaders including Deepender Hooda were tight lipped over the Congress ticket to wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia. But party’s senior leader Capt Ajay Yadav said that the committee will decide on Vinesh’s matter.
“I am the Chairman of the OBC Department, and I have said that the OBC and backward classes should be given priority. Until they are given opportunities, the key to power will not be in our hands”, he said. “We must prioritise OBCs and backward classes to unlock the path to power,” said Yadav, underscoring the importance of inclusivity in Congress’s candidate selection.