The unexpected defeat in the Haryana assembly elections 2024 has triggered significant unrest within the Congress party. Amidst the internal finger-pointing and blame games among the leadership, a wave of resignations is expected to follow.
The first to step forward is the state in-charge general secretary, Deepak Babaria, who has offered to resign, taking moral responsibility for the party's poor performance in Haryana. Babaria has communicated directly with Rahul Gandhi, requesting the high command to appoint someone else to replace him.
Babaria’s resignation offer comes after criticism from within the party, particularly from senior leader Captain Ajay Singh Yadav. Yadav openly criticized Babaria for his absence during a crucial period of the elections. Due to illness, Babaria had been hospitalized during the election campaign, which, according to Yadav, stalled important work.
Yadav said that Babaria should have informed the party leadership earlier if his health was going to impede his responsibilities, thus allowing for an alternative arrangement. This criticism has been echoed by others within the party, and Babaria’s resignation appears to be an acknowledgment of this feedback.
Babaria was admitted to AIIMS
During the critical phase of ticket distribution and campaigning in Haryana, Babaria was admitted to AIIMS in Delhi due to blood pressure issues. His absence raised concerns among many leaders, who felt that Babaria, lacking public support in Haryana, was not the right fit for the role. Captain Yadav questioned how someone who was unavailable during the elections could be given the responsible of overseeing the state's electoral operations.
Babaria’s appointment as Haryana’s state in-charge was largely due to his proximity to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. After Congress’s success in Karnataka, Babaria had been sent as an observer for the selection of the legislative party leader. This success led to his subsequent appointments in Delhi and Haryana, but his leadership in Haryana has faced mounting criticism since the defeat.
Fact-finding committee formed
In response to the electoral loss, the Congress leadership has decided to form a fact-finding committee to investigate the causes behind the party's downfall in Haryana. According to party sources, during a post-election meeting, Rahul Gandhi expressed surprise and concern over the defeat. He reportedly criticized some members for prioritizing personal interests over party objectives. This sentiment further deepened internal tensions, with speculations that after Babaria, other prominent figures, including the party’s state chief, Udaybhan, might also offer their resignations.
The party’s Haryana debacle has not only exposed cracks within its leadership but also raised questions about the future direction of Congress in the state. The resignation of key leaders, combined with internal investigations, reflects the party’s effort to reassess its strategy and address the internal conflicts that may have contributed to its electoral failure. Whether these changes will lead to a revival or further disarray remains to be seen.