Congress ends deadlock, names Hooda CLP leader

The Congress on Monday broke a year-long deadlock in Haryana by naming a former Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, as the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP), and appointing Rao Narender Singh, a former state health minister, as the new president of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC).

The 61-year-old Rao Narender, a senior OBC leader representing the Ahirs (Yadavs) from south Haryana, will replace Udai Bhan, an SC face.

The announcement, made through a letter signed by AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, ended months of factional wrangling that had paralysed the party since the Assembly elections in October last year, when the BJP returned to power.

The communication also placed on record the party’s “appreciation” for outgoing PCC chief Bhan.

Hooda’s elevation, however, came after bruising internal resistance. Despite commanding the support of 29 of 37 Congress MLAs, his continuance was blocked for months with rival factions in the party standing firm.

All camps lobbied aggressively for a wider shake-up in the state unit, at one point floating the name of former deputy CM Chander Mohan Bishnoi as an alternative.

The stalemate forced the AICC to send observers, including former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, in October last year to gauge the views of the MLAs.

But even after an overwhelming majority backed 78-year-old Hooda, the high command hesitated, wary of alienating Kumari Selja and Randeep Surjewala, both senior leaders and general secretaries of the party.

Congress insiders admit the delay deepened mistrust and exposed the fragile fault lines in Haryana Congress.

According to sources, a report by senior leader Bhupesh Baghel pointedly flagged the visible distance of some senior leaders during the Assembly campaign, which, along with alleged manipulation of votes, appeared to have hurt the party’s prospects.

With today's appointment, Hooda has asserted his dominance in state politics once again. The high command picked Rao Narender Singh, who is said to keep a largely neutral stand in state politics.

Singh, who joined the Congress in 2009, previously served as state health minister under Hooda as CM and is known to have good ties with Hooda. His appointment signals Congress' push for OBCs ahead of Bihar elections.