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Congress MP Kumari Selja, a prominent figure in Haryana politics, addressed recent rumours surrounding her potential departure from the party and non-participation in the upcoming Haryana elections. In a statement to NDTV, she vehemently denied these speculations, asserting her unwavering commitment to the Congress party and her home state. Selja, the MP from Sirsa, described herself as a “loyal worker… good soldier” and confirmed her participation in the campaign, emphasizing her dedication to the party’s cause.
While Selja acknowledged the existence of “issues… serious issues” within the party that require resolution, she refrained from divulging specifics, stating that the Congress senior leadership is actively working on addressing these concerns. The article further elaborates on Selja’s preference to serve the people of Haryana as a legislator rather than an MP, a desire she expressed prior to the Lok Sabha elections. However, due to the timing of the general election, she was chosen to contest the Lok Sabha seat.
Selja’s desire to contest the Haryana election was reportedly denied by the party, a decision that prompted rumours of a rift between her and the Congress leadership. The article highlights the potential benefits the Congress could have reaped from her candidature in the state election, as her presence could have sent a “strong message” to the electorate. Despite the alleged differences, Selja remained optimistic about the party’s prospects in the Haryana elections, confidently stating that the Congress “will form the (state) government”.
The BJP seized upon the rumours surrounding Selja’s discontent, suggesting that she was “disrespected” by the Congress leadership and implying that she might be open to joining their ranks. Former Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar even extended an invitation to Selja, suggesting that any “self-respecting person” in her position would consider switching parties. This claim was further amplified by Khattar’s successor, Nayab Singh Saini, who accused the Congress of being “anti-Dalit” for denying Selja the opportunity to contest the state election.
Selja countered these allegations with laughter, dismissing the BJP’s suggestions and urging them to “first set their own house in order.” She questioned the BJP’s commitment to respecting Dalits, highlighting the irony of their accusations considering their own record on the issue. Selja’s confidence in the Congress’s victory in Haryana was further underscored by her statement to the news agency PTI, where she quipped, “maybe the BJP is more worried”.
The article concludes by addressing the BJP’s attempts to capitalize on the situation, emphasizing that Selja’s commitment to the Congress remains unwavering. The BJP’s efforts to attract Selja to their ranks were further undermined by Brijendra Singh, the Congress candidate for the Uchana Kalan Assembly seat, who denounced the BJP’s tactics as nothing more than “lies”. The article ends by highlighting the upcoming Haryana Assembly election, scheduled for October 5th, with voting results expected on October 8th.
Source: "Should Never Be Doubt...": Congress' Kumari Selja On Joining BJP Rumours