Haryana Elections: Kumari Selja Eyeing Haryana CM Post? Congress Leader Says ‘People Do Have Ambitions’

Senior Congress leader Kumari Selja stated her desire to contribute to the development of the state, though the final decision lies with the party's high command.

Senior Congress leader Kumari Selja hinted at her potential candidacy for the Haryana Chief Minister position if the Congress secures a majority in the upcoming elections. Speaking on Friday, she emphasised that individuals and communities have their ambitions and questioned why they shouldn't pursue it.

Months after winning the Lok Sabha seat from Sirsa, the former Union minister and prominent Dalit leader expressed her interest in contesting the upcoming assembly elections. She stated her desire to contribute to the development of the state, though the final decision lies with the party's high command.

Speaking with news agency PTI, Selja dismissed concerns about internal factionalism affecting the electoral prospects of the party. She asserted that during election campaigns, all members work together cohesively as a single Congress team.

"I am very practical and I will answer you very frankly. In any organisation, there will always be push, pull and going for your space. That is part of any organisation and that will always be there. It is ambition, working, jostling for your space, all this is there. But having said that, (it's there) till tickets (are announced). I would also say that when elections come...everyone gets down to groundwork," Selja said, PTI reported.

When asked about the unity of different factions within the Haryana Congress, she responded, "Everyone has their ambitions. Ultimately, it's the Congress team working together." She also downplayed rumours of internal divisions, noting that senior leaders running separate campaign initiatives are doing so in the party's best interest.

Congress Would Get 'Excellent Majority': Selja On Haryana Elections 2024 

Explaining the possibility of a post-poll tie-up, Selja said that there would be no hung assembly and the Congress would get an "excellent majority". "We are in touch with the people on the ground. They are totally against the BJP," she said.

"The Lok Sabha results came and in assembly polls also very good results will come and we will form the government." When questioned about whether Congress would announce a chief ministerial candidate before the elections, Selja explained that the party follows their own procedures. "When you are in government, obviously the person who has been CM leads the party. But when you are in the opposition, the party hardly ever projects a chief ministerial face."

When directly asked if she was a contender for chief minister if Congress won a majority, Selja replied, "Individually and community-wise, people do have their ambitions. Why not?" Regarding being seen as a future Haryana chief minister, she added, "It's up to my party and its leadership to decide."

When asked about any unfinished business or goals, she stated, "Definitely, my role in the state. I make no bones about it." She also stated that she had worked at the Centre for a very long time and now, she would like to move to the state level.

"I have done a lot of politics at the Centre, I wish to work at the state level. Peoples' works are more related to the state. So I wish to work in the state, rest the high command has to decide finally but yes I definitely wish so," she also said, PTI reported.

In response to a question about whether Congress should also nominate a Dalit CM in light of discussions about a caste census, Selja replied, "Caste is a reality in our country, and people have expectations both individually and within their communities."

"There are no two ways about it that SCs have voted in a large majority for the Congress and have been the backbone of the Congress, so there are expectations also. If other people or other sections project themselves for the CM post, then awareness has increased a lot and so the question arises, why not from the SC community?" "We should also have the confidence to stand up and say, why not us," she questioned.

The Election Commission announced on Friday that the Haryana assembly elections for the 90-member house will be conducted on October 1, with results expected on October 4. The Model Code of Conduct has been implemented in the state following the announcement.