‘Having aspirations for CM post is natural’: Kumari Selja

The silence of senior Congress leader and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja created a stir in Haryana politics at a time when a tough electoral battle was underway in pursuit of formation of the next government in the state. After sharing stage with Rahul Gandhi and other senior leaders, including former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda and state Congress president Udai Bhan in Assandh on Thursday, she spoke to Deepender Deswal at her Hisar residence. Excerpts:

You joined the Congress’ campaign after about one week. Will the campaign gather momentum now?

In the early phase of campaigning, the candidates are busy in putting the whole campaign strategy in place. Since we (state Congress) don’t have organisational structure at ground, it takes time for the candidate to manage the campaign. In such a situation, if senior leaders start campaigning, it becomes difficult for them to manage things. Had there been organisational structure, it would have helped manage the campaign better. However, now the campaign has picked up.

The BJP has been trying to create a space since it is directionless and has no issue. They have no report card for its 10-year regime. There are no achievements to show.

Will the party’s Central leadership be able to cover the entire state in the rest of campaign time?

It’s never possible to cover the whole state for the Central leaders. Selected meetings are held which are strategically planned. The programmes of party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are on cards.

Rahul Gandhi addressed a rally in Barwala Assembly segment which is part of your home district Hisar. Why did you skip this event though you were present in Assandh?

I had already planned my schedule of campaigns in Tohana and Hisar Assembly constituencies. Thus, I had requested Rahul ji that I would be able to attend only one programme which I attended in Assandh. And it was fine.

Is there any strategy for the state-wide yatra by the party leadership?

I don’t think it will happen now. Yatra is embarked upon ahead of the election to create an atmosphere. Now, it’s campaign time.

You remained absent from the campaign after the distribution of tickets. You also said that your supporters and you too were feeling hurt due to it. Has the situation improved now in the party?

There are some issues and things inside the party. I have talked to the high command in this regard. Though some bada nuksaan (big damage) had been done, I cannot rule it out today. But, we have to see how to move forward. We need to work to move forward to form the government. What should be the outcome and what should be the next course? We have to move ahead.

There was a struggle inside the party during the ticket distribution. Has it been resolved? And there is also the issue of the Chief Minister. How do you think the party will tackle these issues?

As far as the Chief Minister’s issue is concerned, why is it so? I can discuss it with you at some other point. But, this decision is taken by the high command at the appropriate time after the elections. Having aspirations for the chief ministerial post is natural.

In your absence, the BJP ran a narrative around you during the ongoing campaign. Now you are in the campaign, has it hurt your party or has the BJP’s narrative backfired?

The BJP has been trying to create a space since it is directionless and has no issue. They have no report card for its 10-year regime. There are no achievements with the BJP. Moreover, who will count these achievements since the Chief Minister is new. Thus, they were trying to hide their weakness. After the Lok Sabha polls, the scenario has further gone in favour of the Congress. Definitely, Congress is going to form the government. The regional outfits will not be able to make any dent to the Congress.

Rahul Gandhi asked about formation of a 36 biradari ki sarkar during his poll campaign. What does it mean?

I will leave the analysis of this comment to you (media). Obviously, when the leader says something, he talks with some meaning and some depth.