Decision to contest lies with party high command: Kumari Selja, Randeep Surjewala

Tribune News Service

Karnal, August 20

Senior Congress leaders, including Sirsa MP Kumari Selja and Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Surjewala, have left the decision on their potential candidatures for the Haryana Assembly elections to the party’s high command. Both leaders have not formally applied for tickets.

Braving the rain and humid conditions, Selja and Surjewala continued their roadshow in the Chief Minister’s city, charging party workers and urging them to strengthen the party through unity.

Despite giving 2 CMs, Karnal faces neglect

Despite giving two CMs, the people of Karnal remain disheartened. There are growing concerns about safety, particularly of women and traders, and the precarious future facing the youth. Kumari Selja, Sirsa MP

They reiterated that their primary goal is to strengthen the Congress. Both leaders were leading the ‘Congress Sandesh Yatra’ on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

On fighting the Assembly elections, Selja said: “I want to contest the Assembly elections, but the decision will be taken by the party leadership.”

Surjewala echoed the same sentiment, saying: “My future plans regarding contesting the Assembly elections will be decided by the party leadership.” When asked by the media about being a potential chief ministerial candidate, Selja responded that the decision would be taken by the party leadership, but stressed their current focus was on strengthening the party in Haryana. “We want to bring the party into power with a full majority,” Selja asserted, with Surjewala reiterating the same.

In response to former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s statement that he had no objections to Selja and Surjewala’s candidatures, Selja reiterated that the final decision would be made by the high command. Regarding Chiranjeev Rao’s comments about becoming Deputy Chief Minister if the Congress wins, Selja again left it to the party leadership.

On her campaign, she said, “The campaign is going very well. We are receiving an excellent response. The people of Haryana want to bring the Congress into power.” She also mentioned that ticket distribution would be finalised soon by the party leadership, with the screening committee expected to finalise the names shortly.

During the roadshow, which began on Railway Road and ended in Sector 12, residents, traders welcomed both the leaders. While addressing the gathering, they criticised the BJP government on various issues, including the plight of farmers, unemployment, and inflation. They also condemned the BJP’s decade-long misgovernance. Surjewala stressed the Congress would introduce new faces.

Selja took a dig at the development of the city and lamented that despite giving two CMs, the people of Karnal remain disheartened. She highlighted ongoing concerns about safety, particularly for women and traders, and the precarious future facing the youth. Both leaders paid tribute to former PM Rajiv Gandhi, recalling his contributions and vision for India’s future.