Day after rout: Cong faces factionalism, blame game

Selja targets Hooda; Jogi threatens to quit

After the rout, resentment against the party leadership as well as factionalism has surfaced in the Congress. Senior Haryana leader Kumari Selja on Monday blamed former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda for the debacle, as reports of resetnment against the leadership in Karnataka reached the AICC. Trouble is also brewing for the high command with Ajit Jogi in Chhattisgarh sending signals that he may quit the Congress and float a new party if he is not made PCC president.

Despite the clamour on the streets for a bigger role in the party for Priyanka Gandhi, there is little likelihood of her taking over the reins from her brother Rahul, who stands completely discredited among workers. At this juncture the Congress leadership appears clueless on how to take on the might of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Former Union minister Kumari Selja on Monday came out into the open and directly blamed Mr Hooda for the Congress’ dismal performance in Haryana. She told the media that the former CM should take “complete responsibility” as he had “enjoyed absolute power for the past few years”. She claimed that Mr Hooda’s choice of

candidates had led to the party’s debacle. There was some speculation that she might have been fielded by the high command to discredit the Haryana leadership as Ms Selja told a television channel neither Congress president Sonia Gandhi nor her son Rahul could be blamed for the party’s rout in Haryana. She felt that they ( Sonia and Rahul) were “too democratic” to interfere in

consultations had taken place among leaders, it would have been good, but unfortunately that environment was totally missing.”

Ms Selja added it was because of Mr Hooda that many senior Congress leaders had quit the party and joined the BJP. “Thousands of leaders were forced to leave the party. Why do you think that happened? In 2005, I was one of the major backers of Hooda,” she added.

In Chhattisgarh, the Congress could be in deep trouble as senior leader Ajit Jogi has indicated he could quit and set up a new party if he was not made head of the state unit. Sources said Congress vice- chief Rahul Gandhi was against making him PCC chief.

It remains to be seen if a weakened Congress leadership buckles under Mr Jogi’s pressure or manages to stand its ground.

With Priyanka Gandhi appearing disinclined to usurp her brother’s position, there is also speculation that a triad of Priyanka, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi could be put in place to steer the party in the challenging days ahead.