Haryana Diary: Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Kumari Selja loyalists walk tightrope
Two Congress veterans Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Kumari Selja recently organised programmes in two Assembly segments in Hisar district. While the former Chief Minister was the chief guest at Daksh Prajapati Jayanti Sammelan held in Nalwa segment, the Sirsa MP addressed a meeting of party workers in the Barwala segment. However, loyalists of the respective leaders made sure they didn’t attend the functions of the other faction. In a display of their loyalty, even local leaders avoided being seen in the rival group’s event. During a press conference in Hisar, Hooda was asked about Selja’s programmes and whether the two leaders would share the stage. However, Congress state chief Udai Bhan took the question and replied that “Selja is the general secretary of the party and Hooda was also working to strengthen the party. Who has the problem with this?”
Garbage issue raises stink in Parl
By raising the garbage and poor cleanliness issue related to Faridabad and Gurugram cities in Parliament, senior Congress leader and MP Kumari Selja has not only given political fodder of attack to the Opposition, but has also put the ruling party and its supporters in a kind of embarrassing situation. “Though the BJP has three ministers from Haryana in the Modi Cabinet, the sorry state of affairs of civic amenities in the two metropolitan cities, which are major revenue contributors of the state, could further erode the ruling party’s voters base in the upcoming Assembly elections,” say political analysts.
Uneasy times for ticket-seekers
The political chessboard for the upcoming Assembly Elections in the state has been laid. All parties are busy in planning for the elections in their own way. Ticket aspirants in all parties are also occupied in preparations and leaving no stone unturned to stake claim on the ticket for the Vidhan Sabha elections. But the new entrants are a challenge for them as well as for the selectors. Recently Vijay Jain, former BJP councillor joined the Congress in Panipat Gramin Assembly constituency, increasing the tension of ticket aspirants. Similarly, in the Samalkha Assembly constituency, the entry of Manmohan Bhadana, who is a son of former minister Kartaar Bhadana, has also created a stir in the BJP camp. Before it’s decided who gets the ticket, there will definitely be some fireworks for sure. The Assembly elections are going to be interesting this time.
Show of strength at Cong yatra
Congress ticket aspirants, belonging to Sirsa MP Kumari Selja faction, yesterday showed their strength at various locations during the Congress Sandesh Yatra-2 held in Ambala City in view of the upcoming Assembly elections. About eight welcome points were distributed among local party leaders from Agarsen Chowk to Jagadhri Gate to welcome the yatra and show their strength. Even during the address of Birender Singh and Kumari Selja, supporters of the aspirants kept raising slogans in support of their respective leaders. A Congress leader said the aspirants had deployed their supporters in large numbers at various points to get the attention of Kumari Selja. Every leader has the right to stake claim but the leaders know who are actually working on the ground.
Prominent Dalit face in HSSC
With the appointment of Master Amar Singh as a member of Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC), Yamunanagar district has again got representation in the commission. Earlier, Bhopal Singh Khadri from the district became the chairman of the HSSC. However, he stepped down from the post in March 2024. According to political observers, the state government would have had two motives behind appointing Amar Singh. First, the Yamunanagar district has got representation in the HSSC and second, there will be an opportunity to appease the Dalit community through his appointment. Master Amar Singh, who is a Haryana government teacher, is at a senior position in the RSS and is also a prominent Dalit face in the state.
(Contributed by Deepender Deswal, Bijendra Ahlawat, Mukesh Tandon, Nitish Sharma and Shiv Kumar Sharma )
