The political atmosphere in Haryana now is electrifying as Congress leaders ramp up their campaigns, each striving to secure party tickets for their loyalists ahead of the October 1 assembly elections. With the Congress Screening Committee set to begin its candidate selection meetings on Monday, the race for tickets has reached a fever pitch, with over 2,500 applications flooding the All India Congress Committee (AICC) office in New Delhi, fighting for just 90 seats.
The party’s Screening Committee, led by seasoned leader Ajay Maken and comprising Manickam Tagore, Jignesh Mevani, and Srinivas BV, is scheduled to start meetings on August 25 to finalise the candidates. The central leadership has tasked the committee with selecting candidates who not only represent diverse social backgrounds but also demonstrate unwavering loyalty and strong winnability.
Following the departure of senior party leader Kiran Choudhary, the remaining heavyweights—Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Kumari Selja, Randeep Surjewala and Capt Ajay Yadav—have intensified their efforts to ensure their supporters dominate the candidate list. These leaders are conducting parallel campaigns across Haryana, each projecting their loyalists as the most viable contenders.
In Panipat’s Samalkha, former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda urged the electorate to deliver a resounding victory for sitting MLA Dharam Singh Chhoker, hinting at his commitment to consolidating power through his network of supporters. Hooda’s influence remains formidable, as he seeks to maintain his grip on the state Congress machinery.
Kumari Selja and Randeep Surjewala, both currently serving as MPs, have also thrown their hats into the ring for the Assembly elections. While they have publicly deferred the final decision to the party high command, their recent actions leave little doubt about their ambitions. Selja, during a rally in Narnaud, Hisar, appealed to voters to back Ajay Choudhary, linking his success to her own political strength. Meanwhile, Surjewala, in a rally in Kalayat, Kaithal, took a bold step by promising to confer martyr status on all farmers who perished during the 2020-21 farmers’ agitation, with job guarantees for their next of kin—even extending this pledge to farmers outside Haryana.
Adding to the political theatre, Captain Ajay Yadav’s son and sitting Rewari MLA, Chiranjeev Rao, has not only staked his claim as the Congress candidate for Rewari but also boldly declared his intention to serve as the deputy chief minister in the next Congress-led Haryana government. His confidence underscores the intense internal jockeying for power within the party.
The race is further complicated by the return of senior leader Birender Singh to the Congress fold. Singh is actively lobbying for a ticket for his son, Brijendra Singh, a former BJP MP from Hisar, to contest from the Uchana Kalan assembly constituency, which earlier represented by his wife Premlata Singh for the BJP.
Amidst the scramble for tickets, Congress leaders have already begun making grand promises to the people of Haryana, even before the high command has made any official announcements.
Bhupinder Singh Hooda has promised to double the old-age and widow pensions to Rs 6,000 and create one lakh jobs within a year if Congress forms the government. These pledges are designed to resonate with the electorate, leveraging Hooda’s established track record and appeal.
With elections scheduled for October 1, alongside the final phase of Jammu and Kashmir polls, the clock is ticking for Congress leaders to solidify their positions. The last date for filing nominations is September 12, with the results set to be declared on October 4.
As the stakes rise, the battle for Congress tickets in Haryana is not just about candidacy but also about future leadership in the state. The coming weeks will be crucial as aspirants.
