Sympathy wave likely to make Cong task easy

Observers say its task may be made easier by the fact that the families of both the deceased leaders have deep roots in politics. The names of various contenders have already begun doing the rounds as the Hooda government braces itself for three bypolls in the coming days.

Congress sources said both the Jindal and Surender families would be given preference for the ticket from their constituencies of Hisar and Tosham. As a senior leader put it: ‘‘Both the families not only have tremendous influence in their areas but are also riding the sympathy wave now. We will definitely give them a chance.’’

Surender’s wife Kiran Chaudhary, a former deputy speaker of the Delhi Vidhan Sabha, who failed to get into Rajya Sabha from Haryana last year after BJP threw its weight behind INLD-supported Tarlochan Singh, may be in serious reckoning now.

Early this year, she was also in the race for Gurgaon Vidhan Sabha ticket, but had to withdraw, as the Congress had already given the go-ahead to three family members of former CM Bansi Lal — sons Surender and Ranbir and son-in-law Somvir.

‘‘But if she plans to continue in Delhi politics, we will consider some other member of the family,’’ said a senior Congress leader.

Jindal family, too, is politically active. Naveen Jindal, the youngest son of late O.P. Jindal, is already a member of Lok Sabha. Jindal’s eldest son Prithvi Raj, or another member of the family could find favour with the party. Sources said that one of Jindal’s daughters-in-law, who had been actively running his campaign, could also be considered for the seat.