Congress leader Kumari Selja has firmly stated that the Congress party will not be forming an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. In a recent interaction with PTI editors, Selja emphasized that the Congress is strong in the state and will be contesting the elections independently.
The senior Congress leader expressed confidence that her party would secure an “excellent majority” in the 90-member House, ruling out the possibility of a hung assembly. Selja also dismissed the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), claiming that they have lost significant ground in Haryana and are unlikely to make an impact in the polls.
Regarding the INLD-BSP alliance, Selja pointed out that both parties have also faced a decline in support within the state. She stated that the performance of the Lok Dal and BSP in the Lok Sabha elections was poor, indicating that their alliance may not pose a threat to the Congress in the upcoming assembly polls.
When asked about the potential for an alliance with the AAP, Selja reiterated that the Congress is strong enough to contest on its own. While the Congress and AAP are partners at the national level, Selja highlighted that the decision to form alliances in each state is left to the discretion of the respective parties. The AAP has already declared that they will not be forming an alliance in the upcoming Vidhan Sabha polls, further solidifying the Congress’s decision to go solo.
Selja exuded confidence in a significant victory for the Congress in the upcoming elections, citing the people’s discontent with the ruling BJP in Haryana. She emphasized that the Congress is prepared to contest all 90 seats and is determined to secure as many as possible.
The senior Congress leader noted that after a decade of the BJP’s rule in Haryana, there is a strong desire for change among the people. Selja criticized the BJP’s lack of support on the ground and questioned the political experience of their chief minister. She highlighted internal issues within the BJP, predicting that these factors would work against them in the elections.
In discussing the issue of lateral entry into the bureaucracy, Selja emphasized the importance of considering reservation policies in all recruitments. She stated that the Congress is opposed to lateral entry at this time and stressed the need for a reevaluation of the policy to ensure inclusivity.
Selja identified key election issues in Haryana, including the demand for a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) and the withdrawal of the Agnipath military recruitment scheme. She reiterated the Congress’s commitment to advocating for a legal MSP guarantee and addressing concerns related to the Agnipath scheme, which has faced criticism for its discriminatory practices.
Unemployment, inflation, alleged scams, and education were highlighted by Selja as major issues affecting the state. She emphasized that addressing unemployment is crucial and raised concerns about corruption within the Haryana government.
Selja dismissed the possibility of MLAs switching sides post-election, asserting that the people are choosing the Congress as their preferred party this time. When asked about wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s potential candidacy, Selja refrained from commenting but expressed sympathy for Phogat’s disqualification at the Olympics due to being slightly over the weight limit.
The Congress leader praised Phogat for her determination and criticized the lack of accountability in the circumstances leading to her disqualification. Selja commended Phogat for her resilience and performance at the Olympics, highlighting the challenges faced by women wrestlers in the sport.
Addressing the role of khap panchayats in society, Selja defended their existence as social groups that often play a positive role in resolving community issues. She emphasized the importance of recognizing the positive contributions of khap panchayats in promoting brotherhood and social harmony.
Looking ahead to the Haryana Assembly elections scheduled for October 1, Selja expressed optimism about the Congress’s prospects of unseating the BJP and returning to power after a decade in opposition. She reflected on the BJP’s coalition with the JJP following the 2019 elections but noted that disagreements over seat sharing led to the coalition’s dissolution.
In conclusion, Selja’s strong stance on the Congress’s independent candidacy in the Haryana Assembly elections underscores the party’s confidence in its strength and ability to secure a significant majority. With key election issues and challenges in focus, the Congress aims to address the concerns of the people and bring about positive change in the state.