Will Hooda be CM for 3rd time?

The fate of the political parties in Haryan will be revealed on Tuesday. The Congress party is, however, moving forward with the firm belief that will secure victory.

Sources within the party suggested that Bhupendra Singh Hooda may be sworn in as Chief Minister for a third time, with processes expected to be completed within a couple of days.
However, tension is rising due to the discontent of senior leader Selja, a situation that has persisted through a major part of the campaign. Congress headquarters is optimistic about Haryana and many in the party believe favourable results will boost party position in Maharashtra.

If the results are favourable, a quick decision on the new CM and a swearing-in ceremony will follow, with efforts to ensure all factions are represented in the new cabinet.
Congress hopes that the return of former MP Ashok Tanwar will help unite Dalit voters, avoiding any division that could impact their chances. Tanwar was brought back at the last minute after internal reports indicated that Dalit support was wavering. This decision was driven by former Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s initiative. Tanwar’s return has eased some concerns among party strategists, but the true outcome will be clear on Tuesday—whether Congress achieved a significant victory in Haryana or faced a tighter race.
As Haryana’s elections near, Congress strategists are concerned that a poor performance could spark internal conflicts, especially from Kumari Selja and her supporters. Selja might gain support from MP Randeep Surjewala, leading to disputes over important roles like deputy CM and departmental positions, rather than the chief minister position. Although Selja claims she could be a strong candidate for CM, the party is preparing for all outcomes.

To manage the election process, Congress has appointed former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, national treasurer Ajay Maken, and Pratap Singh Bajwa as senior observers. They are set to arrive in Chandigarh soon after receiving orders from the party’s high command. If Kumari Selja raises any objections, the party may bring in additional observers.