The Congress party’s struggle with internal discord in Haryana has reached a boiling point, exposing the leadership’s deepening crisis. The latest came during a high-stake meeting in Delhi wherein senior leaders Kumari Selja and Uday Bhan frantically indulged in an argument, putting the party’s already strained unity to the test.
The confrontation unfolded in front of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing rift between the factions led by former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Selja. The incident occurred during a crucial All India Congress Committee (AICC) meeting, where Kharge had summoned Haryana Congress leaders to assess the party’s standing ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
The dispute erupted when Uday Bhan highlighted the success of Hooda’s ‘Haryana Mange Hisab Yatra,’ which he claimed was resonating well with the electorate. In response, Kharge acknowledged the positive impact but suggested a more inclusive approach.
Selja, representing the rival faction, challenged Bhan’s claims, leading to an exchange of accusations. Shelja directly accused the party president of favouritism, alleging that only one faction was being invited and given preference in meetings. Rahul Gandhi was compelled to step in, advising that these issues be resolved at the state-level rather than in the national forum. In response, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal requested a separate meeting to discuss the issue and calm the situation. Following the meeting, the in-charge and the president went to the General Secretary’s office to explain the situation.
The General Secretary reportedly reprimanded the state president, noting that this was not the first complaint. In-charge Deepak Bawaria was instructed to promptly address the grievances of the other faction and submit a report. On Wednesday, Selja met with Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi at 10 Janpath in Delhi to address the situation. In media interaction, she dismissed reports of a heated argument, framing it as a misunderstanding and reiterating the need for party unity to secure electoral victory. “ These are just stories, nothing is like that. I had previously mentioned that everyone needs to work together as our main target is to win the state”, She said after the meeting.
The BJP seized the opportunity to criticise the Congress, with Haryana BJP President Mohan Lal Badoli mocking the party’s internal chaos. Badoli remarked, “They went to seek reconciliation but returned with a fight,” highlighting the ongoing dysfunction within Congress ranks.
