Hooda-Selja Rift Continues: Congress Fails To Appoint Leader Of Opposition In Haryana As Assembly Session Begins Tomorrow

As the newly-formed 15th Haryana assembly prepares to convene for its first winter session on Wednesday, (13 November) the Congress party has yet to announce the Leader of the Opposition (LoP).

Being Haryana’s main opposition, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader will be the LoP but driven by infighting between Hooda and Selja factions, the party has not taken decision yet.

This delay gives the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fresh ground to target Congress over its internal divisions. Earlier, former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda was the LoP.

The delay has drawn attention back to Congress’s internal rifts within its state unit, though the party has consistently downplayed any factionalism, despite suffering a significant defeat in the October assembly elections.

These divisions, especially between the supporters of Hooda and MP Kumari Selja, were evident in the lead-up to the elections and appear unresolved. Apart from Hooda, other contenders for the CLP leader role include MLAs Ashok Arora and Chander Mohan.

State Congress President Chaudhary Udaybhan expressed optimism on Monday stating, "We hope to announce the CLP leader soon. The central leadership is handling the decision, though they are currently focused on the ongoing elections in Jharkhand and Maharashtra."

Meanwhile, the BJP has criticised Congress’s inability to appoint a LoP. Haryana Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mahipal Dhanda remarked that without an opposition leader, Congress seems distracted by internal disputes rather than setting a legislative agenda.

Dhanda noted, "A Leader of the Opposition is vital for constructive discussions in the Assembly, as people look to both government and opposition leaders to voice their concerns."

The Assembly session will open with the Governor’s address on Wednesday and conclude on 18 November. The assembly elections were held on 5 October and the results were declared on 8 October.