On the eve of the Haryana CLP meeting, 31 out of 37 Congress MLAs gathered at Bhupinder Hooda’s residence.
Despite facing criticism over the Congress's poor performance in the recent Haryana Assembly polls, veteran leader and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda is eyeing the position of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader, which would make him the new Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the state Assembly. On Wednesday, Hooda demonstrated his influence by gathering 31 out of 37 newly-elected Congress MLAs at his Delhi residence, a day before the Congress MLAs' meeting in Chandigarh to elect the CLP leader. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has appointed three senior leaders—ex-Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, Ajay Maken, and Punjab LoP Pratap Singh Bajwa—as observers for the Thursday meeting. However, Hooda faces a challenging path ahead after the party's significant setback in the Assembly polls. The Congress had hoped to unseat the incumbent BJP but fell short, winning only 37 out of 90 seats, while the BJP secured 48. The Congress's poor performance was largely attributed to internal factionalism and infighting, with Hooda, the previous LoP, at the center of the controversy. Amid growing dissent within the Haryana Congress and the AICC, critics point out that under Hooda's leadership, the party has lost three consecutive Assembly polls (2014, 2019, 2024) and failed to secure two Rajya Sabha seats despite having the numbers. With the CLP meeting approaching, the question remains whether Hooda can retain his position as CLP leader. Approximately 31 MLAs attended the meeting at Hooda's residence, signaling their support. One MLA mentioned that numerous calls and messages were sent to gather support for Hooda. If Hooda secures a majority, the party high command may adhere to the MLAs' wishes and reappoint him as CLP leader. However, the final decision rests with the high command. Five MLAs, affiliated with Hooda's rivals Kumari Selja and Randeep Surjewala, skipped the meeting. Hooda later described the gathering as informal, emphasizing unity and the fight for the rights and welfare of Haryana's people. Congress sources indicate that Selja supports Panchkula MLA Chander Mohan as the new CLP face. As part of his strategy, Hooda may back loyalists like Geeta Bhukkal or Ashok Arora if his bid is blocked. The current Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president, Udai Bhan, a known Hooda follower, may also face replacement after losing his seat again. Following the party's defeat, only AICC in-charge of Haryana Deepak Babaria offered his resignation. In a review meeting, Rahul Gandhi criticized the state Congress leadership for prioritizing self-interest over the party's interests, leading to the setback. Several senior Congress leaders openly blamed Hooda and his son, MP Deepender Hooda, for the party's defeat. The internal rebellion has also cost the party two Rajya Sabha seats in recent years, with cross-voting and invalid votes sealing their fate.
Despite facing criticism over the Congress’s poor performance in the recent Haryana Assembly polls, veteran leader and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda is eyeing the position of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader, which would make him the new Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the state Assembly. On Wednesday, Hooda demonstrated his influence by gathering 31 out of 37 newly-elected Congress MLAs at his Delhi residence, a day before the Congress MLAs’ meeting in Chandigarh to elect the CLP leader.
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has appointed three senior leaders—ex-Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, Ajay Maken, and Punjab LoP Pratap Singh Bajwa—as observers for the Thursday meeting. However, Hooda faces a challenging path ahead after the party’s significant setback in the Assembly polls.
The Congress had hoped to unseat the incumbent BJP but fell short, winning only 37 out of 90 seats, while the BJP secured 48. The Congress’s poor performance was largely attributed to internal factionalism and infighting, with Hooda, the previous LoP, at the center of the controversy.
Amid growing dissent within the Haryana Congress and the AICC, critics point out that under Hooda’s leadership, the party has lost three consecutive Assembly polls (2014, 2019, 2024) and failed to secure two Rajya Sabha seats despite having the numbers. With the CLP meeting approaching, the question remains whether Hooda can retain his position as CLP leader.
Approximately 31 MLAs attended the meeting at Hooda’s residence, signaling their support. One MLA mentioned that numerous calls and messages were sent to gather support for Hooda. If Hooda secures a majority, the party high command may adhere to the MLAs’ wishes and reappoint him as CLP leader. However, the final decision rests with the high command.
Five MLAs, affiliated with Hooda’s rivals Kumari Selja and Randeep Surjewala, skipped the meeting. Hooda later described the gathering as informal, emphasizing unity and the fight for the rights and welfare of Haryana’s people.
Congress sources indicate that Selja supports Panchkula MLA Chander Mohan as the new CLP face. As part of his strategy, Hooda may back loyalists like Geeta Bhukkal or Ashok Arora if his bid is blocked. The current Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president, Udai Bhan, a known Hooda follower, may also face replacement after losing his seat again.
Following the party’s defeat, only AICC in-charge of Haryana Deepak Babaria offered his resignation. In a review meeting, Rahul Gandhi criticized the state Congress leadership for prioritizing self-interest over the party’s interests, leading to the setback.
Several senior Congress leaders openly blamed Hooda and his son, MP Deepender Hooda, for the party’s defeat. The internal rebellion has also cost the party two Rajya Sabha seats in recent years, with cross-voting and invalid votes sealing their fate.
