TNFNew Delhi/ TNF
Union Home Minister Amit Shah intensified his attack on Congress, labeling it an “anti-Dalit” party during a rally in Haryana ahead of the upcoming state elections on October 5. Shah specifically referenced Congress leader Kumari Selja, a prominent Dalit leader and the MP from Sirsa, claiming that Congress has a history of disrespecting its Dalit leaders. “Whether it was Ashok Tanwar or Kumari Selja, Congress has always humiliated Dalit leaders,” he said.
This statement comes at a time when Selja is reportedly dissatisfied with Congress, feeling sidelined within the party. Earlier this year, former Haryana Congress President Ashok Tanwar joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Just days before Shah’s comments, Haryana’s former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar also invited Selja to join the BJP, further fueling speculation about her future in Congress.
Selja’s absence from the Congress campaign trail in Haryana, where the party hopes to return to power after a decade, has sparked rumors about her next move. She was last seen campaigning on September 11, but since then, she has been staying at her residence in Delhi, meeting party workers.
The situation has become more contentious as several senior BJP leaders, including Shah, Khattar, and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, have been criticizing Congress for its treatment of Selja. The fact that she skipped the Congress manifesto launch on September 18 further raised eyebrows, as the party is in a critical phase leading up to the elections.
On Monday, Selja responded to the BJP’s overtures during a televised program. The 61-year-old leader firmly stated, “BJP leaders should refrain from advising me.” However, reports indicate that Selja is unhappy with Congress’s ticket distribution for the Haryana elections, which has deepened the internal divisions within the state unit.
Selja has long been at odds with the faction led by former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. She, along with another Congress general secretary, Randeep Surjewala, has been critical of Hooda’s leadership. Sources suggest that Selja was seeking between 30 and 35 seats for her faction, but ultimately, the Hooda camp was allocated 72 out of the state’s 90 seats.
Adding to the tension, Selja couldn’t secure a ticket for her allies in her own constituency, Sirsa, where she won the 2024 general elections by over 260,000 votes. A casteist remark made against her by a Congress worker during a candidate’s nomination event has only worsened the situation. The worker in question was reportedly close to Bhupinder Hooda’s son, Deepender Hooda, which made the situation more inflammatory, forcing the Haryana Congress leadership to condemn the incident.
The growing divide within the Haryana Congress has drawn the attention of party leaders at the national level. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge met with Selja in Delhi last week to address her concerns, promising that her grievances would be resolved. Additionally, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has reportedly stepped in to mediate the situation. According to reports, Gandhi has asked Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who is in charge of Haryana’s elections, to persuade Selja to return to the campaign.
Selja’s absence from the Congress campaign is worrying for the party, especially considering the significance of the Dalit vote in Haryana. The state has 17 reserved constituencies in its 90-member assembly, and Dalits make up roughly 20% of the electorate. Selja has significant influence in many of these constituencies, making her a vital asset for the Congress.
In a state where caste plays a decisive role, Congress cannot afford to alienate either the Dalit community, represented by Selja, or the Jat community, which is largely loyal to Bhupinder Hooda. Hooda, a two-time Chief Minister, is a key figure for the party’s success in Haryana. His popularity among Jats, who constitute 25% of the state’s voters, makes him a crucial leader in Congress’s plans to regain power in Haryana. Hooda also played a pivotal role in the 2024 general elections when Congress won five out of 10 Lok Sabha seats in the state, a feat credited largely to his leadership.
On the other hand, Selja’s Dalit representation is crucial for Congress, especially in the context of recent political developments. The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) has formed an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which seeks to mobilize Dalit votes. Additionally, Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad’s Azad Samaj Party (ASP) is also in the fray, as part of an alliance with the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP).
For Congress, ensuring the support of both Dalits and Jats is key to reclaiming Haryana. Selja’s role in reaching out to Dalit voters aligns with Rahul Gandhi’s stance on caste-based reservations and his focus on social justice, making her an irreplaceable figure in the party’s strategy.
With the elections looming, the stakes are high, and Congress must resolve its internal conflicts quickly. As both Hooda and Selja remain critical to the party’s prospects, their unity will be essential for a successful campaign in Haryana.
