A number of pairs of father-son duo, a mom and her daughter, two pairs of siblings, and not less than one couple are among the many 195 delegates chosen by the Haryana Congress to vote within the election for the get together’s nationwide president. The October 17 election is happening amid concerted efforts by Congress for a picture makeover by shunning nepotism and dynasty politics and calling for making certain “one particular person one publish”.
After holding it beneath wraps for practically two weeks, the Haryana Congress lastly launched the names of delegates on Saturday, on a day when the get together’s Central Election Authority introduced that solely two leaders — Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor — are within the fray for the highest publish.
Those that have made it to the checklist of delegates embody state get together chief Udai Bhan (delegate No. 73), his son Devesh Kumar (No. 74) and son-in-law Sudhir Choudhry (No. 80). Others who’ve made it to the checklist with not less than one member of the family embody Mahendragarh MLA Rao Dan Singh (No. 104) and his son Akshat Singh Rao (No. 160); former MLA Ranbir Singh Mahendra (No. 189) and his son Anirudh Choudhry (No. 186); former Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Sharma (No. 126) and his son Chanakya Sharma (No. 40); Raghuveer Tewatia (No. 69) and his son Tarun Tewatia (No. 175); HPCC working president Ram Kishan Gujjar (No. 27) and his spouse Shelly Choudhry (No. 26); and Paramvir Singh (No. 117) and his son Randhir Singh (No. 113).
The checklist additionally caries the names of former CM and Chief of Opposition in Haryana Vidhan Sabha Bhupinder Singh Hooda and his Rajya Sabha member son Deepender Hooda; Tosham MLA Kiran Choudhry and her daughter and HPCC working president Shruti Choudhry. Mullana MLA Varun Chaudhary and his father and former HPCC president Phool Chand Mullana together with Rewari MLA Chinrajeev Rao and his father and former minister Capt Ajay Yadav additionally determine within the checklist.
All MLAs have made it to the checklist.
Earlier the method to nominate the delegates had received delayed as three leaders together with former minister Randeep Surjewala, former HPCC president Kumari Selja and Kiran Choudhry, all identified Hooda detractors, approached the get together excessive command accusing Hooda and Bhan of ignoring them in finalising the checklist of delegates. Additionally they met chairman of the Congress’s Central Election Authority (CEA), Madhusudan Mistry, in New Delhi looking for his intervention.
The method was, nonetheless, accomplished and in presence of former MP Tara Chand Bhagora, who was appointed because the Pradesh Returning Officer (PRO), the checklist of delegates was finalised on September 20. The checklist, which was speculated to be displayed on the get together’s workplace in Chandigarh instantly, nonetheless, was put up solely on Saturday
The checklist has names of Surjewala’s brother Sudeep Surjewala (No. 98) and Selja’s brother Jagannath (No. 58). Randeep figures as delegate No. 97 and Selja is delegate No. 2.
Speaking to The Indian Specific, a senior get together chief mentioned, “It’s weird. Whereas Hooda is an MLA, his son Deepender is an MP. They each may be delegates. Equally Kiran Choudhry is a MLA and her daughter Shruti is likely one of the 4 working presidents. However what concerning the members of the family of the opposite leaders? On what foundation have they been included as delegates? It was clearly talked about within the Udaipur Chintan Shivir that get together employees must be prioritised whereas giving such positions. It’s not mirrored on this checklist”.
Bhan, nonetheless, defended the checklist. “Choice has been made on the idea of the work and efforts that the candidate had put in in growing the membership of the get together. There can be just a few such circumstances the place a person and his son have been appointed as delegates, however it’s purely on benefit. If I’ve labored arduous for the get together, does it imply that my son or daughter cannot do the identical? If they’ve contributed to the get together, they deserve such a place,” Bhan advised The Indian Specific.
One other senior get together chief, nonetheless, slammed the checklist for nor holding senior leaders on the high. “It appears seniority was not stored in thoughts whereas finalising the checklist. As an example a five-time MLA like Kiran Choudhry figures final among the many delegates, whereas there are individuals like Tewatia and Ranbir Mahendra who’ve misplaced elections a number of instances, who determine on the high. Even their relations determine above seasoned leaders. In get together’s Udaipur Chintan Shivir, AICC president Sonia Gandhi had requested everyone to take a pledge to not promote ‘Bhai-Bhateejavaad’ (nepotism) within the get together. This checklist of delegates is precisely reverse to that,” the get together chief mentioned.
Speaking to The Indian Specific, Kiran Choudhry mentioned, “How does it matter if my or Shruti’s identify has been put up on the backside of the checklist of delegates. Who is aware of, by the point polls occur, whether or not PCC chief Udai Bhan would even determine within the checklist or not?”