Selja slams BJP overtures, says Congress is in her blood

Sirsa MP and former minister Kumari Selja today hit back at BJP leaders asking her to join the saffron party. She said those making these statements were much junior to her in politics.

“I have a much longer political career than most BJP leaders issuing such statements. Don’t counsel me. My party and I will decide my path. We will move forward with full strength…They are creating confusion…The Congress is in my blood,” she said.

Recently, Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had extended her an offer to join the BJP. On reports of her being miffed with the Congress, she said, “It appears BJP leaders are more worried (about me). A hundred discussions are going on, but these are within the party. We worked hard during the Lok Sabha poll for the party’s victory. Our fight for the people of Haryana will continue and the Congress will form the government in the state.”

She said since she was staying silent, BJP leaders were trying to project that she was upset with the Congress and feeling insulted. “They are doing it for politics, and they know it. They also know, as does everyone else, that Selja is with the Congress,” she said.

She clarified that she would start campaigning within three days. She has declared herself as a contender for the CM’s post while simultaneously maintaining that the high command will take a call on it.

She is reportedly upset as a majority share of the party ticket has gone to former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s camp. She wanted to contest from Uklana to strengthen her case for the CM’s post, but failed to get the green light. The seat went to Hooda loyalist Naresh Selval. She couldn’t secure the Narnaund ticket for Ajay Chaudhary and it went to Jasbir Singh.

She said, “I may have suffered because I declared my candidacy for the CM’s post. Probably, some people may have sensed fear.”

She said her struggle was not for herself, but for all communities, especially weaker sections, Dalits and women.