Internal squabbles prevent Cong from naming LoP in Haryana

The Congress Party in Haryana is grappling with an escalating crisis as it seeks to appoint a new Leader of the Opposition and is facing pressure to decide a new president for the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC).

- NEERAJ MOHAN

This turmoil comes on the heels of a disappointing performance in the recent assembly elections, where Congress managed to secure only 37 of the 90 seats. The high command is now tasked with resolving deep-seated internal divisions, which have emerged starkly between two rival factions led by former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja.

The split within the party has turned contentious as both groups lay claim to the critical leadership positions. Hooda, a Jat leader, has a substantial backing among the MLAs, with 33 out of the 37 elected members considered to be in his camp. In contrast, only four MLAs are aligned with Selja, who is also pushing for her reinstatement as HPCC president after the departure of Udai Bhan, who suffered a significant defeat in the Hodal assembly constituency.