Resentment brews against Hooda camp in Rohtak

Resentment seems to be brewing against the camp of two-time Chief Minister and Congress stalwart, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, during the selection process for the post of district party president at Hooda's hometown here.

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A section of the local party workers is opposing an aspirant for the post, who, they maintain, is being backed by the Hooda camp.

Local trader leader Hemant Bakshi, who is vying for the post of district party president, has expressed his resentment through social media. In a recent post, he questioned the fairness of the selection process and suspected some sort of "match-fixing" was at play.

He has accused Congress MLA and Hooda's close confidant, Bharat Bhushan Batra, of supporting an aspirant for the post and giving out the message that his name had been finalised.

"In case that happens, the Congress will have to face repercussions from bottom to top," remarked Bakshi.

In another post, he has also challenged the stance adopted by Hooda during the recent elections to the state Assembly.

While Bakshi has made his point vociferously, several other local leaders and workers of the party share similar sentiments, though in hushed tones.

Batra maintained that the selection process was going on as per the guidelines given by the party leadership and would be completed in due course.

He said the party observer had taken feedback from local leaders and workers and would convey it to the leadership, following which a panel would be prepared for the final selection.

"If someone has a grouse against me, he can approach me personally. It is not good to express one's resentment publicly. Such an approach won't lead anyone anywhere," the MLA said, referring to Bakshi's posts.

Nonetheless, Congressmen conceded that the process of selecting district presidents has created confusion. "The Congress is in a catch-22 situation. The entire exercise will prove to be eyewash in case the will of the dominating leaders continues to prevail in the selection process, and the party organisation would be directionless if stalwarts are ignored," said a party leader.