The Congress party has sidelined Kumari Selja, a prominent Dalit leader with strong grassroots, in what appears to be a strategic move to maintain the dominance of former Chief Minister Bhupendra Singh
Hooda.
Rahul Gandhi has been an advocate for the rights of marginalized communities, the voice of Kumari Selja—a key figure in Dalit politics—has been noticeably subdued within the Congress.
Haryana Congress is under the heavy influence of Bhupendra Singh Hooda, whose grip on the party has resulted in what seems to be an orchestrated effort to marginalize Selja politically.
Selja’s sidelining was already evident during the Lok Sabha elections.
She argued that fair ticket allocation could have boosted the Congress’s performance and accused Hooda’s camp of prioritizing outsiders.
Congress is contesting 89 seats, with 72 candidates reportedly loyal to Hooda. In contrast, only nine candidates close to Kumari Selja secured tickets, emphasizing the marginalization of Dalit leaders
within the party.
After the Lok Sabha elections, Selja positioned herself as a potential candidate for the Chief Minister’s post, even expressing interest in contesting the Assembly elections while serving as an MP. However, a directive from the Congress leadership, barring MPs from contesting,blocked her .
The sidelining of Kumari Selja not only marks a personal setback but also highlights the broader marginalization of Dalit leadership within the party. The influence of leaders like Bhupendra Singh Hooda, whose dominance shapes the party’s decisions, demonstrates how internal power politics often override stated principles.
