The Fact News Service
Panchkula, September 22
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday took a dig at Congress over apparent internal differences and reports in sections of the media about its senior leader Kumari Selja not visible in assembly poll campaign for a few days and alleged that the main opposition party “does not respect Dalits”.
He said Kumari Selja, who is MP from Sirsa, is a leader and if she wanted to become the Chief Minister, what crime has she committed?
He alleged that she has been insulted. “Congress is anti-Dalit, Congress does not respect Dalits. If any Dalit leader wants to move forward in Congress, Congress crushes that leader. Kumari Selja is not a small leader, she is a very big leader of Congress, a big leader of Dalits… She is a leader, if she wanted to become the Chief Minister, what crime did she commit? Congress party is stuck in nepotism, they do not think beyond nepotism,” the Chief Minister said on speculation that Kumari Selja may join the BJP.
However, Congress candidate from Uchana Kalan assembly constituency Brijendra Singh dismissed any speculation of Kumari Selja leaving the party. He alleged that BJP is “facing frustration” in Haryana elections..
“Kumari Selja is one of the very senior leaders, there is no point in saying such things about her. She will contribute fully to Congress in this election… BJP is a shop of lies,” Brijendra Singh said.
Kumari Selja, a former Union Minister, is seen to be bete noire of Congress leader and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. She was not present when the Congress released its seven guarantees for Haryana at a press conference at the AICC headquarters.
Former Haryana Chief Minister and BJP leader Manohar Lal Khattar earlier did not rule out the possibility of senior leaders leaving Congress in run up to the Haryana polls.
On being asked if Congress MPs Kumari Selja and Randeep Singh Surjewala join the BJP, he said, “It is a world of possibilities, and possibilities cannot be ruled out. You will know everything when the right time comes.”
Voting for the 90-member legislative assembly in Haryana will be held on October 5. Votes will be counted on October 8 along with that in Jammu and Kashmir.
