The Congress is unlikely to over utilise the star power of Rahul Gandhi in the Haryana assembly elections. The reason is that the party wants the election to remain focused on local issues which benefits it politically given high anti-incumbency against the BJP government. Over-projecting Rahul Gandhi runs the risk of it becoming a Modi-versus-Gandhi battle that does not suit the party.
So far, Rahul Gandhi has not addressed a single public rally in the agrarian state, though only ten days remain for the poll campaign to end.
He has just visited the family of Amit Mann, who was injured in a truck accident in the United States, in a Karnal village on Friday, which the lead opposition party showcased as his concern for illegal migration from the state due to lack of job opportunities.
Push for local leaders
Party sources stated that it was a considered decision not to push Rahul Gandhi much into electioneering in Haryana assembly elections and leave local satraps like former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who is also contesting from his tradition seat of Garhi Sampla-Kiloi, his MP son Deepender Singh Hooda, MP Kumari Selja and other top party to do the talking for the party.
Sources in the state party unit said he may, however, address a few rallies for which internal discussions are ongoing within the Congress. On September 26, Rahul will address a meeting in Assandh in Karnal, Barwala in Hisar. Rahul Gandhi addressed at least three public rallies during the recently held 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Haryana.
He spoke at Charkhi Dadri, Mahendragarh, and Sonipath to support party candidates contesting nine out of ten Lok Sabha seats, with one seat left to ally Aam Admi Party (AAP).
Hooda vs Kumari Selja
The Congress managed to win five seats largely due to the mobilisation of Jats in their favour and anti-incumbency against former BJP Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s regime. Now, Khattar is a Union Minister.
The open rift between senior Hooda and Kumari Selja has become a cause of worry for Congress as the BJP is now fishing in troubled waters. Khattar has already given open offer to Selja to join the BJP.
A tall Dalit leader, Selja feels sidelined for reasons such she has not being allowed to contest the Uklana assembly seat, which weakened her claim for the CM post.
Sources in the state Congress stated that Bhupinder Singh Hooda is said to have prevailed upon the leadership to ensure that she does not get into the fray and also that her loyalists do not get tickets for contesting elections.
Selja has remained away from campaigning, forcing Rahul Gandhi to ask Ashok Gehlot, who is in charge of the state, to tackle the issue.
Selja ruled out leaving Congress at a media event but did not hold back her anguish at the party ignoring her. “There are always discussions within the party that we cannot share publicly. The party is progressing, and such matters are part of internal decision-making,” Selja said.
Dalits are key to the party’s prospects, as there are 17 reserved assembly constituencies in Haryana. Now, she is expected to hold a rally on September 26 in Narvana.