‘We Are Ready For Panchayat Elections, Whenever Held’
Times News Network
Surjewala addressing a party meeting in Chandigarh on Friday.
Chandigarh: Randeep Surjewala displayed bundles of confidence and a clear cut goal at his first press conference as working president of the Haryana Congress, but the road ahead is paved with hurdles, which would require him to stretch to his limits to overcome.
"I am like Arjun who can't see anything but his target and that, it to ensure the removal of the 1NLD government-led by Om Prakash Chautala and installing a Congress government in the state with the collective will of the people," he told newspersons. "We are in war mode and winning the war should be uppermost in the minds of all Congressmen, leaving all personal considerations and ambitions aside." he said in response to a volley of questions on possible contenders, including himself, for the post of the chief minister in case of a Congress victory.
Reiterating his stand that the acts of "corruption", "criminality" and "crass nepotism" during
the Chautala regime in the last six years would be thoroughly probed once the Congress comes to power; he warned of strictest possible action in quickest possible time against the guilty, whether they be politicians or the officials colluded with them in such acts.
On whether the party would move court against attempt to hold early panchayat elections in the state, he categorically stated that, while the party was yet to take a decision on the issue, it was ready to face the elections ahead on whether these are held before or after the assembly polls.
On what kind of people will be considered for party tickets in the assembly elections, he said only those with total commitment to the party, a deep knowledge of the party policies and ideology. Commanding grassroots level support and having the ability to win, would get a chance. Youth, women and members of Scheduled Caste and weaker sections of the Society
will get adequate representation, he added.
Asked whether he would contest the elections from Narwana against the chief minister, he said: “It is my wish, but it is for the party to decide.”
The pitfalls ahead
Surjewala's appointment is expected to generate a lot of enthusiasm in at least two dominant communities in the state - the Jats (who are estimated to comprise roughly 20 per cent of the total electorate) and the youth (Randeep is 36 years old).
However, Jat stalwarts within the party like former state party chiefs Birender Singh and Bhupinder Singh Hooda, are not sparing any effort to protect themselves as chief ministerial candidates, They are unlikely to concede ground to him without resistance, despite having the blessing of party chief Sonia Gandhi.
There is also former chief minister Bansi Lal, who despite having lost considerable influence within the state over the years and rejoined the Congress, disbanding his Haryana Vikas Party (HVP) recently, still commands the status of a Jat stalwart.
State party chief Bhajan Lal would also be wary of Surjewala. Despite having broached the idea of appointing a working president himself to keep criticism of his poor health and his arch rivals Birender and Hooda at bay, the former chief minister would not like to give Surjwala a loose rope lest he get overshadowed by youngster.
Chandigarh: Randeep Surjewala displayed bundles of confidence and a clear cut goal at his first press conference as working president of the Haryana Congress, but the road ahead is paved with hurdles, which would require him to stretch to his limits to overcome.
"I am like Arjun who can't see anything but his target and that, it to ensure the removal of the 1NLD government-led by Om Prakash Chautala and installing a Congress government in the state with the collective will of the people," he told newspersons. "We are in war mode and winning the war should be uppermost in the minds of all Congressmen, leaving all personal considerations and ambitions aside." he said in response to a volley of questions on possible contenders, including himself, for the post of the chief minister in case of a Congress victory.
Reiterating his stand that the acts of "corruption", "criminality" and "crass nepotism" during
the Chautala regime in the last six years would be thoroughly probed once the Congress comes to power; he warned of strictest possible action in quickest possible time against the guilty, whether they be politicians or the officials colluded with them in such acts.
On whether the party would move court against attempt to hold early panchayat elections in the state, he categorically stated that, while the party was yet to take a decision on the issue, it was ready to face the elections ahead on whether these are held before or after the assembly polls.
On what kind of people will be considered for party tickets in the assembly elections, he said only those with total commitment to the party, a deep knowledge of the party policies and ideology. Commanding grassroots level support and having the ability to win, would get a chance. Youth, women and members of Scheduled Caste and weaker sections of the Society
will get adequate representation, he added.
Asked whether he would contest the elections from Narwana against the chief minister, he said: “It is my wish, but it is for the party to decide.”
The pitfalls ahead
Surjewala's appointment is expected to generate a lot of enthusiasm in at least two dominant communities in the state - the Jats (who are estimated to comprise roughly 20 per cent of the total electorate) and the youth (Randeep is 36 years old).
However, Jat stalwarts within the party like former state party chiefs Birender Singh and Bhupinder Singh Hooda, are not sparing any effort to protect themselves as chief ministerial candidates, They are unlikely to concede ground to him without resistance, despite having the blessing of party chief Sonia Gandhi.
There is also former chief minister Bansi Lal, who despite having lost considerable influence within the state over the years and rejoined the Congress, disbanding his Haryana Vikas Party (HVP) recently, still commands the status of a Jat stalwart.
State party chief Bhajan Lal would also be wary of Surjewala. Despite having broached the idea of appointing a working president himself to keep criticism of his poor health and his arch rivals Birender and Hooda at bay, the former chief minister would not like to give Surjwala a loose rope lest he get overshadowed by youngster.
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