Among the assembly elections to be held in 3 states this year, Haryana is one such state where Congress can claim to form the government on its own. Congress’ performance has been strong in the assembly elections held in 2019 and the Lok Sabha elections held in 2024.
But the problem with Haryana Congress is that the factionalism here spoils the Congress’ chances. The situation of factionalism can be understood in this way that only 2 months are left for the assembly elections to be completed and 2 political yatras have started in the state. And there is no communication from anywhere between the two.
One yatra is being taken out by the former Chief Minister of the state Bhupendra Singh Hooda in which his son MP Deepender Hooda is being described as the candidate for the post of Chief Minister. The second yatra is being led by Dalit leader and MP Kumari Shailaja in which Shailaja is calling herself the future Chief Minister of the state.
But the Congress high command will not let the assembly elections to be held in 2024 slip out of its hands due to factionalism. If Haryana’s political analysts are to be believed, it seems that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi can declare a Dalit as the CM candidate in Haryana. It could be Kumari Shailja or someone else but this possibility cannot be ruled out.
This decision can prove to be a masterstroke for Rahul Gandhi and Congress. Because doing so can prove beneficial for Congress at many levels.
1-Why this move can prove to be a masterstroke for Congress
If Congress declares a Dalit CM candidate in Haryana, then understand that Rahul Gandhi’s statements in which he has repeatedly expressed sympathy for Dalits will be confirmed.
The way Rahul Gandhi made Save the Constitution an issue, raised the issue of not including Dalit and backward officers in the Halwa Ceremony during budget making, the way he is demanding caste census in his every speech, the way he talks about the interests of Dalits and weaker sections in his every speech, this decision will strengthen the trust of the common people on him. This will be a big achievement for Rahul Gandhi’s personality.
Now when Rahul Gandhi says such things, the question arises that he only talks, he is not doing anything in reality. But after putting forward the name of Dalit leader Charanjit Singh Channi as the CM candidate in Punjab, this will be the second time when Rahul Gandhi will declare a Dalit CM candidate. Earlier in Karnataka also, Congress has made Siddaramaiah, who comes from the Dalit community, the CM.
By making Dalit leader Mallikarjun Kharge the President of Congress, Congress had already expressed its intentions. If a Dalit becomes the CM in Haryana, then it will prove beneficial for the Congress in future for Western UP, Delhi, and Punjab.