Haryana Election-2024: The exit polls following the Haryana assembly elections 2024 have brought relief to Congress, as most election survey agencies indicate that the party will secure a clear majority. However, even if Congress emerges victorious, internal challenges within the party loom large. The primary issue is the selection of Haryana’s next chief minister, which could lead to intense internal friction. The competition between senior leaders Bhupendra Singh Hooda, Kumari Selja, and Randeep Singh Surjewala is expected to create tension within the party.
Exit Polls Favor Congress, But Leadership Crisis Looms
Exit polls for Haryana's 90 assembly seats suggest Congress is on the verge of forming the state government. While this should be a cause for celebration, it also presents a dilemma: deciding who will lead the government. Congress has no shortage of contenders for the chief ministerial post, with Hooda, Selja, and Surjewala emerging as the frontrunners. Each leader has a strong base of support, and the party’s high command in Delhi will ultimately need to make the final decision.
Senior Leaders Await High Command's Decision
Veteran Congress leaders, including Hooda, Selja, and Surjewala, have publicly expressed confidence in the party's ability to form the government. All three leaders have assured the media that the decision on the next chief minister will be left to the party's high command in Delhi. Hooda reiterated this sentiment when questioned, saying that the decision-making process is clearly defined within the party. He explained that the elected party MLAs would give their input, and based on their opinions, the central leadership will make the final call.
Despite the clarity of the process, this leadership selection is unlikely to be smooth. Hooda acknowledged that, in politics, it is natural for various leaders to harbor aspirations, but maintained that the party would adhere to its internal protocols for choosing the chief minister.
Factionalism in Haryana Congress: A Long-Standing Issue
The internal discord within Haryana Congress is not a new development. In the months leading up to the elections, the rift between the party’s top leaders was evident. Kumari Selja and Bhupendra Singh Hooda’s activities revealed underlying tensions. Selja, a Congress General Secretary, led a “padyatra” to connect with the electorate, only to be followed by Hooda, who announced his own “Haryana Maange Hisaab Yatra” just three days later. This scheduling overlap fueled speculation about the factionalism within the party.
The division within Haryana Congress was apparent even earlier, during a series of events in January. On that occasion, two separate programs were organized by the state Congress, one led by Selja and the other by Hooda. These parallel initiatives pointed to a growing rivalry between the two leaders.
The Path Forward: Balancing Aspirations and Unity
As Congress prepares for the possibility of governing Haryana, it must also grapple with the internal divisions that have plagued the party for some time. With three powerful figures vying for the top position, the challenge lies in ensuring that the eventual choice for chief minister does not exacerbate tensions within the state unit.
While exit polls are favorable, the real test for Congress lies in managing the post-election scenario. The party's leadership in Delhi will need to navigate these internal dynamics delicately, making a decision that unites the party rather than deepens its divisions. Only time will tell whether Congress can overcome these internal challenges and lead Haryana effectively after the elections if it wins as predicted.
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