New Delhi: As the Haryana Assembly elections approach, the Congress party has made a significant move by strategically sidelining Kumari Selja, a notable Dalit leader within the party. Despite her strong grassroots connections and commitment, Seljas role has been diminished to consolidate the influence of former Chief Minister Bhupendra Singh Hooda. This decision has sparked concerns about anti-Dalit bias within the party and raises questions about its commitment to addressing caste issues.Hoodas influence overshadows Seljas roleKumari Seljas increasing activity and visibility in the run-up to the elections were suddenly halted, suggesting a deliberate attempt to reduce her prominence. Rahul Gandhi, a prominent Congress leader, has been vocal about advocating for the oppressed and addressing caste-based discrimination. However, within the party, the suppression of a strong Dalit leader like Selja reveals a discrepancy between Gandhis public stance and internal party dynamics. The Congress leadership appears unwilling to challenge Hoodas entrenched dominance.Hoodas control and the impact on CongressThe influence of Bhupendra Singh Hooda over the Haryana Congress is profound, as evidenced by the ongoing political maneuvering against Kumari Selja. The current state of the Haryana Congress reflects a situation where Hooda is the Congress, and the Congress is Hooda. This concentration of power has led to a strategic conspiracy to politically marginalize Selja, despite her loyalty and service to the party.During the Lok Sabha elections, Selja criticized the arbitrary ticket distribution managed by Hoodas camp, which she believed hindered the partys performance. She accused Hoodas faction of favoring outsiders over loyal party members, further illustrating the internal conflicts within Congress regarding ticket distribution.Disparity in candidate selectionOut of the 90 seats in Haryana, the Congress party is contesting 89 seats, with 72 candidates aligned with Bhupendra Singh Hooda. In stark contrast, only nine candidates supportive of Kumari Selja have secured tickets. This stark disparity highlights the systematic marginalization of Dalit leaders and reflects the extent of Hoodas influence within the party.Seljas support for Vidya Rani Danoda from Narwana and Himmat Singh from Ambala City, both of whom were denied tickets despite her endorsement, underscores the control exerted by Hoodas camp. This situation demonstrates how Hoodas faction continues to assert dominance, sidelining prominent Dalit leaders like Selja.Congress leadership blocks Seljas ambitions for CM roleFollowing the Lok Sabha elections, Kumari Selja aimed to contest the assembly elections and potentially vie for the Chief Ministers position. Despite her aspirations, a directive from party leadership barred MPs from contesting state elections, effectively precluding Seljas candidacy. This move not only humiliated Selja personally but also signifies a broader strategy to distance a Dalit leader from mainstream politics.The Congress partys treatment of Kumari Selja exposes an internal power struggle and a bias against Dalit representation. The partys actions reveal a stark contrast between its professed commitment to representing marginalized communities and its actual practices. The influence of Bhupendra Singh Hooda continues to shape party dynamics, reflecting internal conflicts and a lack of genuine representation for Dalits within Congress.
