Congress High Command Tightens Control in Haryana

The Congress high command's decision to curtail the autonomy of former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and State President Udaibhan has created visible tensions within the party's Haryana unit. This shift comes after the party's disappointing performance in recent elections, despite being given a free hand during the assembly polls.

Leadership Decisions Stalled

A key indication of this changed dynamic was seen when Haryana Congress in-charge Deepak Babaria quickly intervened to halt the list of district in-charges released by State President Udaibhan. The list, issued on December 18, was suspended within 24 hours through a press note from Babaria.

Hooda's Frustration and Udaibhan's Defense

When questioned about the delayed appointment of the Leader of Opposition, two and a half months after elections, Hooda's response reflected his frustration. He directed queries to the high command, stating that they had already submitted their proposal. On the other hand, Udaibhan attempted to downplay the situation, clarifying that the district in-charge list wasn't cancelled but merely put on hold. He explained that only 5-6 changes were made to accommodate situations where previous appointees had either left the party, contested independently, or engaged in anti-party activities.

Organizational Challenges

The state leadership also faces challenges in organizing local body elections. Udaibhan revealed that while a committee has been formed for municipal elections, it awaits high command approval. The party has decided to contest corporation elections on party symbols, while decisions about municipal councils and committees remain pending. 

Growing Tensions with Babaria

The relationship between Babaria and state leadership has shown strain in multiple instances: 

1. Disputes over EVM tampering messages during vote counting
2. Disagreements over ticket distribution for 10-15 seats
3. Conflicts over organizational appointments