With the Haryana Assembly elections approaching, the Congress party has made a strategic decision to sideline Kumari Selja, a notable Dalit leader known for her strong grassroots connections. This move appears to be aimed at maintaining the influence of former Chief Minister Bhupendra Singh Hooda. The decision has sparked concerns about an anti-Dalit bias within the party. Selja’s increased visibility before the elections was abruptly curtailed, suggesting a deliberate effort to reduce her role.
Rahul Gandhi, a key figure in the Congress party, has been an advocate for the rights of oppressed and deprived communities, frequently addressing caste issues across various sectors. However, within the party, the voice of a prominent Dalit leader like Kumari Selja has been notably suppressed. The party leadership has not challenged Hooda’s dominance, despite Selja’s significant contributions.
Haryana Congress is currently under the strong influence of Bhupendra Singh Hooda. His control over the party has led to what appears to be a concerted effort to marginalize Kumari Selja politically. Despite her long-standing loyalty and dedication, the current situation suggests that Haryana Congress is closely aligned with Hooda, reflecting the idea that “Hooda is the Congress, and the Congress is Hooda.”
Hooda’s dominance was also evident during the Lok Sabha elections. Selja pointed out that fair ticket distribution could have led to a better performance for the Congress. She accused Hooda’s camp of favoring outsiders in ticket allocation, highlighting inconsistencies in the process.
Out of the 90 seats in Haryana, Congress is contesting 89, with 72 candidates being loyal to Bhupendra Singh Hooda. In contrast, only nine candidates close to Kumari Selja made it to the list. This stark disparity underscores the marginalization of Dalit leaders within the party.
Kumari Selja’s current standing in Haryana Congress is a clear reflection of her marginalization by the Hooda camp. She supported Vidya Rani Danoda from Narwana and Himmat Singh from Ambala City for tickets, but their nominations were cut, demonstrating Hooda’s control over the party and his influence in sidelining Dalit leaders like Selja.
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After the Lok Sabha elections, Kumari Selja positioned herself as a potential candidate for the Chief Minister’s post. Even while serving as an MP, she expressed interest in contesting the assembly elections. However, an order from the leadership prevented MPs from contesting, effectively barring her from running.
The sidelining of Kumari Selja by Haryana Congress goes beyond personal humiliation; it represents a deliberate effort to distance a Dalit leader from the party’s mainstream politics. This incident sheds light on the internal maneuvers within Congress and the extent of Hooda’s influence.
The treatment of Kumari Selja by Congress exposes a discrepancy between the party’s stated commitment to Dalit representation and its actions. While the party claims to stand for Dalit interests, in practice, the influence of leaders like Hooda appears to overshadow these principles. The sidelining of Selja ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections underscores the internal power dynamics within Congress, revealing how influential figures like Bhupendra Singh Hooda shape the party’s direction to serve their interests.
