North News
Chandigarh, October 3
Addressing a rally in poll-bound Haryana ahead of the October 5 elections, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition(LoP) Rahul Gandhi called on voters to choose Congress for the protection of the Constitution. He emphasized the party’s commitment to creating a government that represents all segments of society, asserting that Congress has consistently defended constitutional values.
Confident of a positive outcome, Gandhi promised that a Congress-led government would prioritize the needs of farmers, the poor, and laborers, reaffirming the party’s dedication to safeguarding the rights of the oppressed and marginalized.
In a notable political shift, BJP leader Ashok Tanwar rejoined the Congress during the rally, alongside Rahul Gandhi, marking his return after a brief tenure with the BJP and a previous stint with the Aam Aadmi Party. Tanwar, who had aimed to enhance the BJP’s support among Dalits in Haryana, is expected to strengthen Congress’s position in the region.
However, tensions within Congress persist, highlighted by Kumari Selja’s meeting with senior leader Sonia Gandhi on the last day of campaigning. Selja’s ongoing dissatisfaction with former Chief Minister Bhupendra Singh Hooda remains unresolved, following her exclusion from ticket distribution. Despite her discontent, she has expressed a desire to become the Chief Minister while reaffirming her loyalty to the party.
Though Congress leaders have not officially commented on the meeting, sources indicate that Sonia Gandhi likely reassured Selja of unity and a significant role in the party’s future. Selja had previously stepped back from campaigning for about two weeks but returned to the forefront after intervention from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. Recently, Rahul Gandhi also facilitated a public handshake between Selja and Hooda to convey a message of unity. Voting in Haryana is set for October 5.
