Bhupinder Singh Hooda: A Confident Vision for Congress in Haryana

As Haryana prepares for the upcoming Assembly elections, former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda confidently predicts a “massive mandate” for the Congress party. In a recent interview, he emphasized that the party high command will ultimately decide the chief ministerial candidate, and he fully supports that choice.

Unity in the Party

Addressing concerns about infighting, Hooda stated that the Congress remains united in Haryana. He believes that having multiple contenders for the chief minister position can actually strengthen the party. “It’s a positive development,” he remarked. “Without ambition in politics, things can become stagnant. The more claimants we have, the stronger the Congress will be.”

Strong Support Across the State

While traveling extensively across Haryana, Hooda has seen tremendous support from all segments of society. He declared, “Based on this, I can confidently say that the people have decided—‘this time, it’s Congress’ government.‘” Furthermore, he feels optimistic about closing any gaps with the BJP and asserts that the Congress is poised to secure a significant mandate.

A Clear Process for Leadership

When discussing the selection process for the chief minister, Hooda explained that the Congress follows a structured approach. First, MLAs are elected; then, observers gather opinions; finally, the high command makes the decision. He affirmed, “Whatever the party decides will be acceptable to me.” This sentiment aligns with comments made by Selja, who indicated that the high command’s choice would reflect the people’s mandate.

Addressing Challenges and Criticism

When asked about his son Deepender’s role in the campaign, Hooda lightheartedly replied, “Why, do you want me to retire?” He firmly reiterated, “I am neither tired nor retired.”

Moreover, regarding Selja‘s recent absence from the campaign trail, Hooda dismissed it as a media creation. He stressed the unity within the Congress, stating, “Everything is fine; it was fine before as well. I have nothing against anyone.”

The Real Contest

Hooda also downplayed challenges from the AAP, the INLD–BSP alliance, and the JJP–Azad Samaj Party coalition. He maintained that the election is primarily a contest between the Congress and the BJP. “The voters of Haryana are very intelligent,” he said. “In the Lok Sabha elections, they received only one percent of the vote. People won’t waste their votes; it’s a direct fight between the Congress and the BJP.”

Additionally, he accused the BJP of supporting certain candidates, such as Gopal Kanda, to undermine the Congress‘s chances. Nevertheless, he remains confident that voters will not be swayed.

Defending the Constitution

In response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s criticisms, Hooda asserted that the Congress stands united and free of internal strife. He addressed accusations from the BJP and BSP that the Congress is anti-Dalit. “The reservation for Dalits is enshrined in the Constitution,” he stated. He takes pride in his father’s signature alongside Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s on the Constitution and vowed to defend it against any attempts at alteration.

Furthermore, Hooda accused the BJP of betraying the people by trying to change the Constitution. He criticized the Haryana government for implementing Kaushal Rozgar without providing necessary reservations for Scheduled Castes and other backward classes.

Conclusion

As the elections approach, Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s unwavering confidence and commitment to unity within the Congress may significantly shape the party’s future in Haryana. His strong stance on leadership, ambition, and social justice resonates with voters, setting the stage for an exciting electoral battle ahead.