Tensions are escalating among Haryana Congress leaders over the appointment of district heads. The rift between factions supporting Hooda and those opposing him continues as both aim to position their loyalists for the key post of District President. The SRK Group, comprising Kumari Selja, Randeep Singh Surjewala, and Kiran Chaudhary, has questioned Haryana affairs in-charge Deepak Babaria’s role in this process.
After the Congress session in Hyderabad, the selection process will resume. AICC coordinators, after discussions with district leaders and workers, have presented their report to Babaria. Insiders suggest Babaria now has a panel with potential candidates for all district head positions, with each panel listing between three to eight potential leaders. Babaria is expected to submit his recommendations and the panel to the party’s National General Secretary, KC Venugopal.
Amidst this, National President Mallikarjun Kharge met with approximately 40 senior Haryana Congress leaders in New Delhi. During this gathering, senior leader Rahul Gandhi instructed Babaria to expedite the organisational formation. Though Babaria had earlier promised a list by September 15th, it remains unreleased, with doubts about its release by month-end.
Historically, the State Congress has been organizationally unformed for a decade. Dr. Ashok Tanwar, then Kumari Selja, and now the current head, Chau Udaybhan, have struggled to establish the organisation.
Adding complexity, a recent Congress session in Raipur determined that representation must be given to Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, youth, and women. This quota system challenges leadership to make balanced selections. Currently, with about 24 of the 30 Congress MLAs supporting Hooda, their stance is likely to be influential in the final district head decision.