Tue Sep 24 06:30:48 UTC 2024: ## Congress Accused of Insulting Dalit Leaders, Selja’s Absence Fuels Speculation

**Haryana:** Amidst the ongoing assembly elections in Haryana, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, labelling it “anti-Dalit” for allegedly insulting Dalit leaders, including Kumari Selja.

Shah, during a campaign rally, highlighted the alleged mistreatment of Selja, a prominent Dalit face in the Congress and the MP for Sirsa, accusing the party of sidelining her. He pointed out that Selja’s absence from the Congress campaign in Haryana had fueled speculation about her next move, particularly since she has been vocal about her dissatisfaction with the party’s handling of the ticket distribution for the upcoming elections.

The BJP has seized upon Selja’s discontent, with senior leaders, including former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, publicly inviting her to join their ranks.

Selja, however, has refuted the BJP’s attempts to woo her, stating that the party leaders should refrain from offering advice. She has also expressed her displeasure over the Congress’s ticket distribution process, claiming her faction was allotted significantly fewer seats than the group led by former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

The Congress, however, has attempted to downplay the rift, with senior party leaders like P Chidambaram asserting their unity and emphasizing that the election campaign would be fought in a unified manner.

Selja’s absence from the campaign has raised concerns within the Congress, particularly due to her strong connection with the Dalit community, which constitutes a significant portion of the electorate in Haryana.

With the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Aazad Samaj Party (ASP) entering the electoral fray in alliance with other parties, the Congress cannot afford to alienate Selja or Hooda, two influential leaders who command significant support within their respective communities.

The outcome of the Haryana assembly elections is expected to be keenly watched as the BJP, Congress, and other parties battle it out for control of the state.

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