Senior Congress leader Kumari Selja has sparked discussions about her potential candidacy for the Chief Minister (CM) position in Haryana, should the Congress secure a majority in the upcoming state assembly elections. Speaking on Friday, the former Union minister and prominent Dalit leader emphasized the importance of ambition in politics, both at an individual and community level, and questioned why she shouldn’t pursue her own aspirations.
Selja’s ambitions for Haryana CM
Kumari Selja, who recently won the Lok Sabha seat from Sirsa, has openly expressed her interest in contesting the upcoming Haryana assembly elections. She highlighted her desire to contribute to the state’s development, but ultimately deferred the final decision to the Congress high command. Selja’s potential bid for the CM position is particularly significant given her standing as a key Dalit leader within the party and the state.
In an interview with PTI, Selja addressed concerns about internal factionalism within the Haryana Congress, downplaying any potential rifts that could impact the party’s electoral performance. She acknowledged that ambition and competition are natural within any organization but stressed that these dynamics do not interfere with the party’s unity during elections. “I am very practical, and I will answer you very frankly. In any organisation, there will always be push, pull, and going for your space. That is part of any organisation and that will always be there,” Selja remarked. However, she added that once elections approach, “everyone gets down to groundwork.”
When asked about the unity of different factions within the Haryana Congress, Selja confidently stated, “Everyone has their ambitions. Ultimately, it’s the Congress team working together.” She dismissed any notions of division, clarifying that senior leaders running separate campaign initiatives are doing so in the party’s best interest.
Confidence in congress victory
Selja expressed strong confidence in the Congress party’s chances in the upcoming Haryana elections, predicting an “excellent majority” that would eliminate the need for any post-poll alliances. “We are in touch with the people on the ground. They are totally against the BJP,” she asserted, pointing to the anti-incumbency sentiment she believes will drive voters towards Congress.
Regarding the possibility of Congress announcing a chief ministerial candidate before the elections, Selja explained that the party typically does not project a CM face when it is in the opposition. “When you are in government, obviously the person who has been CM leads the party. But when you are in the opposition, the party hardly ever projects a chief ministerial face,” she noted.
When directly questioned about her own aspirations for the CM position, Selja responded, “Individually and community-wise, people do have their ambitions. Why not?” She emphasized that while she harbors ambitions, the ultimate decision rests with the party leadership.
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Dalit representation and caste dynamics
Selja also touched on the broader issue of Dalit representation in leadership roles, particularly in light of recent discussions about a caste census. She underscored the importance of acknowledging caste realities in India and meeting the expectations of marginalized communities. “There are no two ways about it that SCs [Scheduled Castes] have voted in a large majority for the Congress and have been the backbone of the Congress, so there are expectations also,” she stated.
Responding to whether Congress should nominate a Dalit CM, Selja advocated for the community’s right to aspire to such positions. “If other people or other sections project themselves for the CM post, then awareness has increased a lot, and so the question arises, why not from the SC community? We should also have the confidence to stand up and say, why not us,” she asserted.
Election announcement and model code of conduct
The Election Commission of India announced on Friday that the Haryana assembly elections for the 90-member house will be held on October 1, with the results expected on October 4. Following the announcement, the Model Code of Conduct has been implemented in the state, ensuring that the election process is conducted fairly and transparently.
As the election date approaches, Kumari Selja’s potential bid for the CM post adds an intriguing dynamic to Haryana’s political landscape, highlighting both the ambitions within the Congress and the broader questions of representation and leadership in the state.
