Congress workers mock defeat with cabbage pakoras in Sirsa

Following a crushing defeat in the Sirsa municipal elections, Congress workers, instead of mourning, celebrated by distributing cabbage pakoras — a sarcastic response to remarks made by their own party MLA, Gokul Setia.

Setia had accused certain local Congress leaders of "digging the party's cabbage," implying internal sabotage. His comment angered party workers, many of whom turned against the official Congress candidate, Jaswinder Kaur, and instead supported Independent Rajendra Kumar.

Adding to the discord, Setia openly criticised local Congress leaders, excluding only Naveen Kedia and Ameer Chawla from his attacks. His remarks alienated party workers, many of whom withdrew from campaigning. Tensions escalated when Setia attended a BJP-led event featuring the Chief Minister, further pushing voters toward the BJP.

Virender Singh Goldy, a supporter of veteran Congress leader Virbhan Mehta, blamed Setia for the debacle, accusing him of sidelining loyal Congress workers. Rajan Mehta, son of Virbhan Mehta, criticised Setia’s approach, stating that his use of film dialogues like "Gabbar" during campaigning failed to connect with voters.

Meanwhile, the BJP and Haryana Lokhit Party (HLP), led by former Home Minister Gopal Kanda, celebrated their win. Kanda stated that the people of Sirsa had chosen development over internal Congress conflicts. His brother, Gobind Kanda, mocked Setia, calling him "arrogant" and highlighting his history of shifting loyalties between BJP, INLD, and Congress.