Raj Babbar Files Nomination in Gurugram, Former CM Hooda present, but Captain Ajay Yadav gives a miss

Raj Babbar, the Congress candidate for the Gurugram Lok Sabha seat, filed his nomination papers today amidst much fanfare. Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda accompanied him during the filing, lending his weight to Babbar's candidacy. However, the Congress party's show of strength rally held at Mor Chowk grounds in Gurugram saw a significant number of empty chairs, raising questions about the party's unity and internal rifts.

Addressing the gathering, Raj Babbar sought to allay concerns about being an outsider or a heavyweight candidate. "I am neither an outsider nor a heavyweight. I have carved a place in the hearts of the people," he asserted. Babbar criticized the lack of development in Gurugram over the past decade and urged voters to support him if they wanted to see the Millennium City's problems addressed. He claimed that the BJP government had not even erected a single pillar for the metro project in the city.

"I have not come here for a feast; I have come to reside in your hearts. I was an MP from Agra, and while I did not build any buildings there, I ensured development for the people," Babbar said, highlighting his commitment to the welfare of the masses.

Notably absent from the rally was Captain Ajay Yadav, a prominent Congress leader in the state. His absence fueled speculations about internal divisions within the party ranks. However, Hooda and state Congress chief Udai Bhan were present, lending their support to Babbar's candidacy. 

During the rally, Udai Bhan targeted the BJP, accusing the ruling party of jailing opposition leaders through agencies like the ED and CBI. He claimed that the BJP wants to change the Constitution, but the Congress will not allow it. Bhan also touted the Congress's manifesto, stating that it embodies the vision of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Babasaheb Ambedkar. "Anyone who reads our manifesto will not vote for the BJP. The Congress will provide 30 lakh government jobs," he promised. 

The empty chairs at the rally were a stark contrast to the Congress's claim of expecting a massive turnout. The absence of supporters aligned with Captain Ajay Yadav was evident, hinting at the internal divisions plaguing the party's ranks in Haryana. 

Ahead of filing his nomination, Raj Babbar had been actively trying to bridge the gaps within the party. He visited the Shitala Mata temple on Wednesday to kick off his campaign and met with several leaders, industrialists, and prominent community members over the past three days. In a surprising move, he even visited the residence of Rao Kamalvir, a leader from Hooda's rival camp, sending a message of inclusivity. 

Babbar's outreach efforts extended to Mohit Grover, an emerging Punjabi leader who secured the second-highest votes in the 2019 Assembly elections. The Congress has focused its efforts on wooing the Mev, Jat, and Punjabi voters in Gurugram, hoping for a strong turnout from Mewat during the nomination rally. 

As the political battle intensifies, the Congress's internal rifts and Babbar's ability to unite the party's factions will be closely watched. The empty chairs at the rally have raised concerns about the party's unity, which could prove pivotal in the high-stakes electoral contest in Gurugram and across Haryana.