22 sitting MLAs among 34 names cleared by Congress

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 2

The Congress’ Central Election Committee (CEC) at a meeting held in New Delhi today cleared the names of 34 candidates, including 22 sitting MLAs. However, there is still suspense over the remaining six MLAs, including Pradeep Chaudhary from Kalka, Dr Raghuvir Singh Kadian from Beri, Bishan Lal from Radaur and Jagbir Singh Malik from Gohana.

Hooda would contest the elections from Garhi-Sampla Kiloi, Deputy Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Aftab Ahmed from Nuh while Chief Whip BB Batra will the candidate from Rohtak, said TS Singdeo, a member of the election committee.

There is doubt that the party will field Sonepat MLA Surender Panwar, who is still in jail in an Enforcement Directorate (ED) case regarding illegal mining. One of his relatives is in contention for the Congress ticket from the seat. In the 2019 elections, Panwar had defeated BJP’s Kavita Jain by a margin of around 33,000 votes.

There is also suspense over the candidature of Samalkha MLA Dharam Singh Chokker. He, too, is facing an ED case. He is facing a probe regarding his building firms allegedly collecting about Rs 363 crore from 1,497 home buyers under the affordable housing scheme in Sector 68, Gurugram. However, the entity failed to deliver the project.

The candidates for 49 seats were discussed today. For the remaining 41 seats, the committee will meet again tomorrow and the final list of candidates will be released later. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi presided over the meeting while former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and state party president Udai Bhan attended it.

“The screening committee presented the names of candidates for 49 seats and 34 out of them were cleared. The decision on 15 candidates was kept pending and their names would be further deliberated upon,” said Haryana state in-charge Deepak Babaria.

He added, “The names of the remaining 41 candidates will be discussed tomorrow. I hope by September 4, our final list will be out.” On September 5, the filing of nominations will start in Haryana and the last date for filling papers is September 12.

In reply to a question on wrestler Vinesh Phogat, Singdeo said, “It is up to her to decide whether to contest the election or not. Her name was not discussed in today’s meeting.” However, Babaria later clarified that the party’s position on her would be made clear tomorrow.

Earlier, Babaria had declared that sitting MPs, including former Union Minister Kumari Selja and general secretary Randeep Surjewala “will not be permitted” to contest the state Assembly elections. However, he had added that if there was an urgent need, they would be allowed to fight the elections after permission from the Congress president. He had also clarified that those not contesting the elections could project themselves as the Chief Minister provided they have the support of MLAs and blessings of the high command.

Hooda to contest from Garhi-Sampla Kiloi

• Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda will contest the Assembly elections from Garhi-Sampla Kiloi, Deputy Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Aftab Ahmed from Nuh while Chief Whip BB Batra will the candidate from the Rohtak constituency
• The candidates for 49 seats were discussed on Monday and 34 out of them were cleared
• For the remaining 41 seats, the committee will meet again on Tuesday and the final list of candidates is likely to be released on September 4