As the Haryana Assembly elections draw near, the Congress party has made a controversial decision to sideline Kumari Selja, a prominent Dalit leader known for her strong grassroots connections. This maneuver appears to be aimed at consolidating the influence of former Chief Minister Bhupendra Singh Hooda, raising concerns about an anti-Dalit bias within the party.
Kumari Selja’s visibility in the lead-up to the elections has been significantly curtailed, suggesting a deliberate effort to diminish her role. Despite Rahul Gandhi’s advocacy for the rights of oppressed and marginalized communities, the suppression of a key Dalit leader like Kumari Selja within the party highlights troubling inconsistencies in its commitment to inclusivity.
The Haryana Congress currently operates under the strong influence of Bhupendra Singh Hooda, whose control has resulted in a concerted effort to marginalize Kumari Selja politically. Despite her long-standing loyalty and dedication to the party, the situation suggests that the Haryana Congress is closely aligned with Hooda, encapsulating the notion that “Hooda is the Congress, and the Congress is Hooda.”
Hooda’s dominance was further underscored during the recent Lok Sabha elections. Kumari Selja pointed out that a fair ticket distribution process could have yielded better results for the Congress, accusing Hooda’s faction of favoring outsiders in ticket allocation, which raises concerns about fairness and transparency within the party.
In the upcoming elections, Congress is contesting 89 out of the 90 seats in Haryana, with 72 candidates loyal to Bhupendra Singh Hooda. In stark contrast, only nine candidates associated with Kumari Selja made it onto the list. This disparity underscores the marginalization of Dalit leaders within the party and raises questions about their representation in the electoral process.
Selja’s current standing in Haryana Congress is a clear reflection of her sidelining by the Hooda camp. She supported candidates like Vidya Rani Danoda from Narwana and Himmat Singh from Ambala City for tickets, but their nominations were ultimately denied, further illustrating Hooda’s control over the party and his influence in sidelining Dalit leaders like Kumari Selja.
As the elections approach, the implications of this strategic sidelining could have far-reaching effects on the party’s performance and its commitment to representing diverse voices within its ranks. The future of Congress in Haryana may depend on its ability to address these internal conflicts and ensure inclusive representation, particularly for marginalized communities.
