New Delhi : After suffering a loss in the Haryana Legislative Assembly polls, the Congress needs to urgently rework its political strategy in the crucial state if it ever wants to regain its lost citadel. The Bharatiya Janata Party was able to retain power in the state for an unprecedented third consecutive time, despite political pundits and pollsters predicting an easy win for a “seemingly overconfident” grand old party.
Relying too much on Jat strongman and former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has seemed to have cost the grand old party its one time stronghold state. There is a belief within the Congress that the time has now come to bring down its reliance on the Hoodas and move towards a younger generation of leaders in the state.
It is widely understood that Bhupinder Singh Hooda was given a completely free hand regarding selection of candidates and making decisions related to political strategy for the Haryana Assembly polls. However, instead of keeping the party’s interests in mind, it is widely believed that the Hooda family seemed to have only taken decisions for furthering their own political agenda.
The Hooda family had opposed an alliance with the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party for the state polls, a partnership which had already proved its success in the recent Lok Sabha polls. The family had also successfully cornered a majority of tickets for their loyalists, at the cost of antagonizing other factions within the grand old party. These moves ensured division of anti BJP votes and broadening fissures within the grand old party’s ranks respectively.
Instead of focusing their efforts on seeking tickets for their supporters, the senior Hooda should have ensured selection of candidates that had better chances of winning in these polls, sources in the party felt.
The dictatorial style of working of Bhupinder Singh Hooda, not taking everyone along during the crucial polls, including senior leaders Kumari Selja and Randeep Singh Surjewala, also affected the prospects of the party’s candidates. Interestingly, both Selja and Surjewala remained largely confined to their respective districts during the entire campaign trail. Even the attempt by senior party leader Rahul Gandhi, to present a united front and dispel rumours regarding reports of fissures in the party wasn’t enough.
Moreover, bringing in Dalit leader Ashok Tanwar into the Congress camp was widely seen as an attempt by the Hoodas to quell the political aspirations of Kumari Selja, and sent out a negative message amongst the marginalised community.
Senior leaders in the Congress feel that the party would do itself a favour if it decides to bring in young blood and starts reading them for the next poll camp
With the Congress now out of power from Haryana for a back breaking third consecutive term, the grand old party must now show a keenness to step away from the Hooda clan and take a bet on its younger generation of leaders.
Relying too much on Jat votes at the cost of other communities was also one of the major factors that led to the debacle. This again re-emphasizes the need for the party to groom and bring forth leaders from other castes and communities, with an emphasis on OBCs.
The time is now seemingly ripe for the party to start nurturing young talent amongst its ranks and asking the super seniors to take a dignified exit from the state’s political sphere.
