Long-standing factional divisions within the Haryana Congress came into sharp focus on Wednesday after senior party leaders exchanged pointed remarks during a meeting convened by the party’s newly appointed state in-charge, Sanjay Dutt, underscoring the organisational challenges confronting the Congress as it seeks to rebuild its political base in the state.
The meeting, held at the Haryana Congress headquarters in Chandigarh, was intended to strengthen organisational coordination and discuss the party’s roadmap for the coming months. Instead, it also exposed lingering rivalries among some of the state’s most influential Congress leaders.
Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala, who have long been viewed as representing different power centres within the party, appeared to exchange indirect jibes during the discussions.
Addressing party colleagues, Hooda remarked that if Surjewala were to fully support him, the Congress would be able to deliver a major political breakthrough in Haryana. The comment drew an immediate response from Surjewala, who said he had already been standing with Hooda for the past two decades and suggested that the time had now come for Hooda to reciprocate that support.
Surjewala also reflected on the party’s electoral performance in Haryana, arguing that vote share alone should not be treated as the ultimate measure of political success. Referring to the state’s electoral history, he observed that Congress had secured an outright majority on its own only three times since Haryana was formed more than five decades ago. He maintained that the focus should remain on converting public support into legislative victories rather than merely improving vote percentages.
The discussion took another turn when senior Congress leader Kumari Selja spoke candidly about the internal dynamics within the state unit. She acknowledged that factionalism had remained a recurring issue for the party, saying that internal divisions had, at times, become so deep that leaders were reluctant even to greet one another.
Selja noted that questions about groupism within the Haryana Congress are frequently raised by the media. While political groupings exist in every party, she said, problems arise when those differences evolve into bitterness and begin affecting organisational unity. Stressing the need to prioritise public welfare over internal rivalries, she said the party’s objective should be to return to power by presenting a united front.
In a lighter moment, Selja remarked that every newly appointed party in-charge is traditionally welcomed with optimism and assurances of collective cooperation. However, she added that genuine unity would be judged by actions rather than words. Responding to her remarks, Sanjay Dutt urged party leaders to give him an opportunity to work. Selja replied that his appointment reflected the decision of the party leadership, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
The exchanges highlighted the delicate task facing Dutt, who has recently assumed responsibility for overseeing the Congress organisation in Haryana at a time when the party is attempting to strengthen its structure and improve coordination among senior leaders.
Wednesday’s series of meetings brought together several prominent figures from the Haryana Congress, including former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, veteran leader Birender Singh, Kumari Selja, Randeep Singh Surjewala, Members of Parliament, MLAs and senior office-bearers.
The discussions were aimed at reviewing the organisational structure, improving grassroots coordination and preparing the party for future political challenges. However, the public display of differences among senior leaders also served as a reminder that internal cohesion remains one of the Congress’s biggest organisational tests in Haryana.
Political observers have long argued that while the Congress continues to command a significant support base in the state, repeated displays of factional rivalry have often complicated its efforts to present a unified leadership. The latest exchanges suggest that reconciling competing political camps may remain a key challenge for the party as it works to strengthen its position ahead of future electoral contests.
