Controversy Updates On Bhupinder Singh Hooda
Following its unexpected defeat in Haryana, the Congress party has reverted to an old strategy that has been employed in the face of internal challenges for years—a high-level committee. The primary goal of this panel, announced after an emergency meeting in Delhi, is to investigate allegations of sabotage within the party as well as claims of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) tampering.
This move comes as the party grapples with frustration and unrest among its members, many of whom believe that the leadership is focusing too much on EVM-related issues rather than addressing deeper organizational problems.
Voices of Discontent Grow
The mood within Congress is tense. Haryana’s defeat was both shocking and demoralizing, as it gave a considerable boost to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of two key upcoming state elections.
As the leadership seeks to understand what went wrong, several party members have voiced their dissatisfaction with the strategy of creating yet another committee. Many are urging the leadership to stop fixating on EVM issues and instead focus on the real reasons for their defeat, including internal sabotage and a lack of coherent strategy.
On Thursday, senior leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, held a meeting to review the Haryana results. Also present were Ashok Gehlot, Ajay Maken, and K C Venugopal. Notably absent from the meeting was Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who led the party’s campaign in Haryana.
According to sources, Hooda was not invited, despite being in Delhi. This decision has raised eyebrows, given that Hooda has been at the center of much of the controversy surrounding the Haryana elections.
Allegations of Sabotage on Bhupinder Singh Hooda
The Congress high command appears to be furious with how the campaign in Haryana unfolded, particularly over claims of internal sabotage. Hooda and his son, Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda, are facing accusations from within the party of undermining official candidates by supporting rebels.
Many Congress leaders, especially those who lost their seats, have come forward to openly criticize the Hoodas and the central leadership for allowing this situation to unfold.
Capt. Ajay Singh Yadav, the chairman of Congress’s OBC wing, has been particularly vocal. His son, Chiranjeev Rao, lost his race in Rewari—a seat Yadav himself had won five times before. Yadav, angry and disappointed, expressed that his position as OBC chairman had been reduced to a token role, or “jhunjhuna” (a toy).
He went on to lament the exclusion of leaders from South Haryana in key party committees, saying it sent the wrong message to OBC voters. Yadav’s sentiments reflect a broader feeling of disenchantment among Congress leaders from various factions.
Gandhi’s Misstep in Assandh
Rahul Gandhi’s involvement in the Haryana elections has also come under scrutiny. During the campaign, Gandhi held a rally in Assandh, a constituency seen as critical for the Congress.
He personally campaigned for Shamsher Singh Gogi, the Congress candidate, urging voters to support him. However, Gogi lost by a narrow margin to the BJP candidate, with a Congress rebel playing spoiler by drawing away a significant number of votes.
Gogi has since spoken out, laying much of the blame for his defeat on Bhupinder Hooda. According to Gogi, Hooda didn’t endorse him properly during the campaign, and Hooda’s supporters propagated a narrative that further undermined his chances.
Gogi sees the defeat not as a loss for the Congress as a whole, but rather for what he calls the “Hooda Congress.” He expressed frustration over the way the Hooda faction allegedly sabotaged the broader party’s chances, adding that had Congress won, Hooda and his son would have taken the credit.
Calls for Accountability
Gogi is not alone in his criticism. Another Congress candidate, Parvinder Singh Pari, who contested in Ambala Cantonment, also lashed out after finishing third behind the BJP’s Anil Vij and Congress rebel Chitra Sarwara. Pari accused Deepender Hooda of failing to convince rebels to withdraw, leading to his defeat.
He also pointed to mismanagement during Gandhi’s campaign visit, claiming that Gandhi was led to the wrong constituency during a roadshow, further evidence of the state unit’s disarray.
The frustration within the party is palpable. Many feel that the Hoodas, who hold significant influence in Haryana politics, are not being held accountable for their role in the defeat. Both Gogi and Pari have called for a complete overhaul of the state Congress unit, expressing their belief that the current leadership has lost its mandate.
Internal Struggles and Polarization
The situation in Haryana is emblematic of broader issues within the Congress. Infighting and factionalism have long plagued the party, and the recent elections have brought these tensions to the fore. While Bhupinder Singh Hooda is a powerful figure within the party, he is also seen as part of a faction that is increasingly at odds with other senior leaders, including Kumari Selja, who has her own support base within the party.
Selja’s candidates, including Chander Mohan in Panchkula and Renu Bala in Sadhaura, managed to win their seats, further fueling the narrative of division within the party. This internal rivalry is a significant factor that needs to be addressed if Congress hopes to present a united front in future elections.
A Familiar Strategy
The committee set up to investigate the Haryana defeat is not an unprecedented move. Congress has often resorted to forming such panels after poor electoral showings, both under Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge.
However, there is widespread skepticism about the effectiveness of these committees. Past reports have often remained confidential, with no clear indication that their recommendations were ever implemented. This has led to a sense of futility among party members, who question whether this latest committee will be any different.
According to party insiders, the newly formed panel will meet with every Congress candidate from Haryana to analyze the election results at the booth level. This will provide candidates with a platform to express their views on what went wrong in a “safe space.” However, whether this will lead to any meaningful change remains to be seen.
Looking Ahead
As Congress navigates its post-election introspection, the key challenge will be addressing the internal divisions that have plagued the party for years. While the high-level committee may offer some insights into what went wrong in Haryana, real change will likely require more than just another report. The party must confront its internal strife, refocus its strategy, and rebuild trust among its members if it hopes to regain its footing in future elections.
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