Kumari Selja openly criticises the candidate selection process, asserts that better candidate choice could have led to a clean sweep.

In the male-dominated political world of Haryana, Kumari Selja, the newly elected Member of Parliament from Sirsa, stands out as a woman who has faced all challenges. With an impressive victory margin of 2,68,497 votes, she has returned to the Lok Sabha after more than a decade, marking her fifth term as an MP. 

Selja's journey has been a testament to her strength and firm spirit in the face of difficulties. As the daughter of former Union Minister Dalbir Singh, she learned about the complexities of politics from a young age. "I learned my values and principles from him and adapted my learnings to suit the situations I faced," she says, reflecting on her father's influence. 

Despite the internal divisions that have long troubled the Congress party in Haryana, Selja has remained committed to serving the people. "There have always been divides in the party. I am not going to shy away from admitting that," she says openly, acknowledging the constant tug-of-war that unfolds within the party's ranks.

However, Selja's victory has not come without its share of challenges. She openly criticizes the candidate selection process, asserting that better candidate choice could have led to a sweeping win for the Congress party. "We lost Bhiwani-Mahendergarh, and we struggled in Sonepat and Gurgaon where we fielded candidates whose names we had never heard of," she laments.

According to Selja, the party's general secretary in charge, Deepak Banwaria, failed to provide a fair assessment to the party leadership, which ultimately hindered their chances of securing a more resounding victory. "Had Banwaria given a fair assessment to the party leadership, we could have done better," she asserts, adding that he was "less than impartial." 

Selja's criticism extends to the state unit chief, Udai Bhan, who she claims did not visit her constituency even once during the campaign trail. This lack of support from within the party ranks highlights the deep-rooted divisions that persist within the Congress in Haryana. 

Despite these challenges, Selja remains committed to the party's interests. She takes pride in suggesting MLA Varun Chaudhry's candidacy from Ambala, a constituency she has represented in the past. "I gave his name, I urged him to contest, and I went to campaign for him in Ambala in the middle of my own campaign," she says, underscoring her dedication to the party's success. 

As the Congress party gears up for the upcoming assembly elections in October, Selja acknowledges that the issues at play in state elections are vastly different from those in general elections. "Though Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the failures of the central government were among the top issues, the state situation, too, had a bearing on the parliamentary polls," she notes. 

Looking ahead, Selja emphasizes the need for self-reflection and unity within the Congress party. "The party, too, will have to reflect and find a balance while taking everyone along when it comes to the assembly polls," she says, highlighting the importance of bridging the internal divides for a successful outcome.

As Kumari Selja embarks on her latest term as a Member of Parliament, her open remarks serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by political parties in navigating internal dynamics. Her firm determination and commitment to serving the people, however, remain unwavering, offering a glimmer of hope for a more united and effective Congress party in the future.