War of words starts in Congress? Kumari Selja takes veiled dig at Hooda after Haryana disaster

The war of words has already started between the top echelons of Congress after the party failed to gain majority in the Haryana Assembly elections. Senior leader Kumari Selja launched a scathing yet veiled attack on former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, under whose leadership the party contested the state elections. 

Selja said the party high command needed to identify those accountable for the poor performance in the polls and devise a new strategy. 

"Pained by Congress workers' disappointment, I am confident the party high command will assess the reasons for the defeat. The high command should formulate a plan to help revive the party in Haryana and identify those responsible for the results," Selja said. 

Further targeting Hooda, Selja pointed out that ticket distribution had been a point of contention which led to dissatisfaction amongst the ground party workers. 

In the lead-up to the election, there had been visible friction between the two leaders. While Hooda projected himself as the frontrunner for the CM post, Selja also expressed interest in the post, leading to the clashing of swords. 

"Yes. I am among contenders to be Chief Minister... but the final decision is with the party high command," Selja had commenced prior to Tuesday's result. 

The infighting, however, led to collateral damage for Congress which could not remove the BJP despite a strong anti-incumbency sentiment against the saffron party, as claimed by several exit polls that failed to predict the outcome. 

Watch | Election Results 2024: BJP Ahead In Haryana, Congress Alliance In Jammu & Kashmir

Assembly polls result 

According to Election Commission of India (ECI) data, BJP emerged victorious on 48 seats while Congress could only muster 37 seats in the 90-member Assembly.

BJP not only won the majority on its own by it also managed to better its seats tally from the last two elections.

Also read | Haryana Election result 2024 Full Winner List: BJP records historic hat-trick in Haryana

In 2019, BJP only won 40 seats and formed a coalition government with the JJP. Meanwhile, in 2014, during the peak of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity wave, the BJP managed to secure 47 seats. The result has come as a shocker for Congress whose wait for returning to power in the northern Indian state extends by five more years. 

(With inputs from agencies)