No ticket for MPs, says Haryana Congress

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 28

Congress’ Haryana in-charge Deepak Babaria today said sitting MPs “will not be permitted” to contest the Assembly elections in the state. He said this after the first screening committee meeting for finalising the party candidates.

He, however, said if there was an “urgent need”, they would need permission from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. Babaria was responding to a specific question in New Delhi about former Union Minister and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja as well as Congress general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Surjewala.

Selja and Surjewala had earlier expressed the desire to contest the Assembly elections and have been campaigning in the state. Both are seen as part of the anti-Hooda camp.

Asked if she was in the running for the Haryana CM’s post during a recent interview, Selja had said, “Why not?”

She said individuals and communities had their ambitions. One of the tallest Dalit leaders in the state, she clarified that the high command would take the final call regarding her candidature for the state elections.

On Tuesday, Selja had met the chairman of the screening committee, Ajay Maken, and provided her feedback.

On elections, Surjewala had earlier stated, “A person can express a wish to contest the elections. The Congress is a family that follows discipline. The central leadership, including Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, will take the decision, and its decision will be acceptable.”

Babaria said Surjewala’s son could be considered for the party ticket. Soon after Babaria’s statement about not allowing sitting MPs to contest the state elections, the Haryana BJP tweeted that former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda was responsible for “Selja’s exit”. They said, “…Whether at the Centre or the state, only nepotism prevails in the Congress.”

Meanwhile, on sitting MLAs, Babaria said they would be replaced only if there was anti-incumbency against them.

He said the screening committee discussed about 25 seats. The discussions would continue and the final list would be ready by Saturday. Hooda and state party president Udai Bhan are also members of the screening committee. Over 2,500 people have applied for the Congress ticket from 90 seats in the state. The state is going to the polls on October 1.

Screening panel discusses 25 seats

• Party’s state in-charge Deepak Babaria said the screening committee for finalising candidates discussed about 25 seats
• The final list would be ready by Saturday and sitting MLAs would be replaced only if there was anti-incumbency against them