‘Sulking’ Selja meets Kharge, will return to Congress campaign in Haryana

Incidentally, Kharge, who was supposed to address his first public meeting in Haryana’s Ambala and Gannaur on Monday, cancelled his visit at the last minute, with the Congress citing “ill health”. The rallies were addressed by Hooda instead.

Confirming that she met Kharge, Selja told The Indian Express: “Several issues were raised by me. But, it would not be correct for me to speak on those issues publicly. It is our party’s internal matter.” Sources said Kharge heard her out and assured her that her grievances would be redressed.

On when she would be campaigning in Haryana, Selja said: “Very soon, I shall be there.”

Selja is expected to join a public meeting in Narwana on September 26. “There will be many more meetings after that,” she told The Indian Express.

On Monday, Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Singh Surjewala also tweeted that he would be attending the Narwana rally. Surjewala has also been unhappy with Hooda calling the shots in the Haryana Congress.

Selja rejected claims by several BJP leaders that she may switch sides. “There is no question of leaving the Congress. The party is in my blood. Till his last breath, my father was a Congressman and he was wrapped in the Congress’s flag when he left us all. Selja will also be wrapped in the same Congress party’s flag. I am not going anywhere.”

She added that BJP leaders should not use her absence from the campaign as a reason to attack the Congress. “I have had a far longer political career and political experience than all those who are taking my name and speculating about me quitting the Congress.”

Selja, who has not hidden her ambitions to be Chief Minister should the Congress win, had pushed for a ticket from Uklana (SC) Assembly seat. However, with Selja having just won from Sirsa in the Lok Sabha polls, the Congress high command was not keen on her vacating the seat and asked her to campaign for party candidates.

After September 12, when the party released its last list of candidates, Selja had virtually not been seen or heard in Haryana.

Selja told The Indian Express that she very much remained “an aspirant for the CM’s post” if the Congress wins. “It is due to my long political standing and the wishes of my supporters that I have reached here. There should be adequate and equal representation of all sections of society.”