Congress needs to prioritise Ahirwal region for its resurrection: Captain Ajay Singh Yadav

As the Congress continues to hunt for a new state chief in Haryana, former minister and Ahir leader Captain Ajay Singh Yadav has asked the party high command to turn to South Haryana for the role.

Calling alleged neglect of the Ahirwal region in the last Vidhan Sabha elections as one of the key reasons behind the party’s poor performance in the state, Yadav said the party needed to shift its priorities and perspective. Yadav a six-time MLA and tallest Ahir leader in the party, is contesting for the post and has been vocal towards the Congress’s indifference towards South Haryana or Ahirwal region.

“The political review of election results clearly indicates that South Haryana had cost the Congress the state. In last year’s Assembly elections, the Congress lost 10 out of 11 seats in the Ahirwal region as it failed to connect with them. The region which has been conventionally the party’s stronghold has shifted its loyalty and preference to the BJP due to its constant neglect. It is South Haryana or the Ahirwal region which is decisive in making the government. It’s high times the party shifts the leadership here,” said Yadav while speaking to The Tribune.

The party presidentship was last held by Ahir leader Rao Nihal Singh who held the post till 1972. The Congress, which enjoys popularity among Jaat voters had a strong base in Ahirwal region till 2014 when Rao Inderjit Singh switched to the BJP. The region roughly has over 12 lakh Ahir voters. The BJP’s emphasis on the OBC community too has given major blow to the Congress in the last elections and now according to political experts the party needs to strengthen its hold in the

Ahirwal region.

“Yadavs are the core of the OBC community in Haryana. While the BJP tapped them successfully we as a party failed to strike a chord. The party needs to look for a Yadav leader to tap the potential,” added Yadav. While Captain Ajay Yadav has emerged as a strong contender due to his following and experience, the other names in the running include former Minister Rao Narendra Singh, former MLA Rao Dan Singh and former MLA Chiranjeev Rao.

Even while choosing district presidents the party has woken up to the importance of Ahir voters in the area. They went on to appoint two presidents in Gurugram, one being an ahir, Vardhan Yadav. This was done to reestablish the party connection with the ahir voters that continue to choose the BJP for over a decade now.