-SATISH HANDA

 In view of rumours about 19 Congress MLAs in Haryana state near and dear to former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda also leader of opposition in Haryana Vidhan Saba demanding to replace Kumari Shelja President Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) neglecting them as well as failed to form a strong party infrastructure in Haryana state and win their confidence like former HPCC president Ashok Tanwar removed from the chair on asking she refused blames and said groups among leaders, legislators and senior workers exist in every political party due to different views and there is nothing serious in this case and assured to form a strong party network in the state soon. Refusing allegations Shelja said that none of the MLA has demanded that Congress high command should replace her. She said, all Congress MLAs in Haryana state recently met Congress high command at New Delhi regarding coming ‘Panchayat’ elections in the state.

In reply to a media question if like Punjab and Rajasthan Congress in Haryana state, too, facing conflict between party leaders which may leave adverse effect on coming Vidhan Sabha polls in several states as well as bi–polls in the state, Shelja said, discipline exists among Congress leaders and MLAs in Haryana state. In another media question if majority of Congress MLAs are unable to digest a ‘Dalit’ party president in Haryana as also seen in case of Ashok Tanwar also a ‘Dalit’ leader in past and if there is any conflict between Hooda and herself, Shelja replied there is no such tradition about caste and creed in Congress politics in Haryana which is similar to a sea having large number of small fishers as well as big crocodiles. She added, her relations with Hooda are like brother and sister and they are fighting against ruling BJP-JJP alliance government in the state jointly. Shelja said, she does not identify herself a ‘Dalit’ but a born Congress worker having Congress blood in her veins.

When questioned, if Bhupinder Singh Hooda and his supporters may form a separate party in Haryana state in case you are not removed from HPCC president chair and Congress high command is under the influence of G-23 group of Congress leaders. In reply Shelja said she does not feel so and repeated that Congress is an old as well as big party similar to a sea having large number of fishes and crocodiles in it. Shelja told, Congress high command is trying its best to strengthen the party very soon to recover lost reputation. She continued, Congress party is going to launch an agitation in the state against ruling BJP government in the country unable to control rising prices of all essential commodities including prices of petrol and diesel. She disclosed that a block level protest being held on July 4, followed by district level cycle rally against rising prices on July 10 and a signature campaign outside petrol pumps all over in the state on July 15.

In reply to a last media question that Hooda and Shelja are known as brother and sister in Haryana politics and it was due to her efforts Hooda became chief minister in the state in a tenure, Shelja replied we are still like brother and sister jointly fighting against the erratic policies of ruling BJP-JJP government in Haryana state.  “BJP leaders accuse Congress supporting agitating farmers causing lot of inconvenience to people in the state since past over seven months, caused damage to government as well as public properties and huge financial losses to trade and industry in the state blocking borders and Toll Plaza in the state. Shelja said that ruling BJP government did nothing for the welfare of people in past over seven years rule as such is unable to face them and only blame Congress responsible for their failure.