congress-runs-in-my-bloodline-selja-vows-loyalty

Congress Sirsa MP Kumari Selja recently has refused rumours of her becoming a 'lotus' leader. Affirming her support for the grand old party, Selja exuded confidence for Congress coming to power in Haryana, saying that the party has contributed immensely to the growth of the state. 

 

Selja, who held the position of Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Social Justice and Empowerment, as well as for Tourism, during the tenure of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has reaffirmed her commitment towards the grand old party. 

 

She was first elected to Lok Sabha in 1991 from Sirsa and since then her graph of career has been growing with her holding the Rajya Sabha seat as well, from 2014 to 2020.  

 

In a recent interview, Selja talks about her loyalty to the party and the strategic calculations of the upcoming assembly elections. 

 

Are you angry with the Congress?

No, no not at all. We have worked from the grassroots level. Today if all India is saying that Congress will come to Haryana it's because of the fact the party workers have contributed immensely to the growth of Congress in the state.

 

But, indeed, 70-80 %  of the candidates wanted by Bhupinder Hooda were approved by the party but you only got approval on 7-8. Certainly, whoever has more MLAs, will have more power. What do you have to say about that?

Well, everybody is allowed to give recommendations and at the party decide. It is all part of luck, not everything is in your hands. 

And, I wanted to fight from Uklana, not my brother. And, even before the Lok Sabha polls, I said in public that I wanted to fight the assembly elections. 

 

But, LS polls results were amazing. People voted from 36 Biradaris. I felt that we have better candidates not only from Narnaul but from other areas as well. But, the party decided. 

 

You met Sonia Gandhi, was it to claim your CM seat?

There is a seniority level in our party and yes I wanted to claim myself for the CM seat. And this might have hurled up some tensions in the party. Which I also face. Dekho mai kaun hoon? Who am I? Selja is a journey and some people have helped me accomplish things. 

 

It is not a selfish vision, It is for the people. And it doesn't matter if I Want it. People around me should want to. In politics you can't make decisions, there is a thought process in every party and that must be followed. And within the party, many verticals must also be kept in mind.

 

But, Selja is fighting for the 36 communities. And also fighting for the weaker section, is not my fight. 

 

I have to fight for women as well in the state.  This is a journey and if in one election I didn't get the ticket that doesn't mean I have lost my political existence.  It is my part of struggle and hard work, and I will continue working the way I am. 

 

If we talk about women, recently Mayawati has said that the Congress just puts on a mask to support Dalits when elections are around, otherwise, their candidates are from the General category only, the dalit candidates from the party should step away and start taking from inspiration from Dalit Leader Bhimrao Ambedkar. What do you have to say about that? 

Babasahib was not just a Dalit leader but the leader of the nation. Every leader of our nation thinks of him as supreme and takes permission. And, in every political party, you pick an issue and then you speak on it. But Congress does support the Dalit and weaker sections of the party. I mean, I have not reached where I am without the support. 

Political careers are filled with ups and downs. And, if someone is looking for security like a 9-5 job then they should change their career. Because politics is a struggle and hard work you have to make your way. 

 

And to other leaders advising me to change my path, I would tell them to stop doing it. Because I can decide my path.  Selja will never think of leaving Congress, the party runs in the bloodline, and just like my father, I will be wrapped in Tiranga and leave.

 

And, I have a right to show my discontent. It's like my family. 'Aur naa hee Selja kabhi hatash hoti hai naa nirash hoti hai'.

 

There must be a sense of power when party leaders like Hooda call you Behen and Samman, is it?

Excuse me, I have my power. And, I have my place at the party like everybody else. 

 

If not CM, are you looking for the position of deputy CM?

Given the political consequences, the decision will be taken. The party's high command will decide. And, we don't even know who will be the CM, let alone Deputy CM. The decision is in the hands of the party leaders. 

 

There are some ground realities as well that also take part in decision-making. 

 

There are so many alliances in the state, like JJP-ASP and INLD-BSP. If Congress had allied with AAP, do you think that anti-BJP votes would have been less divided? 

 

I don't think AAP has a major presence in the state. And, we did give them one seat, Kurukshetra. But they were not happy. AAP is barely existing on ground level in the state. 

 

Sushil Gupta is from Kurukshetra and he is the state president of the party, that is why the seat was given, however, the ground presence of the party is minimal. 

 

And Kejriwal has never initiated any work for the party in the state. Now, there are just 15 days left in the election. He will come to the state, but it will be of no benefit. 

 

BJP has been saying that Vinesh Phogat has become Congress ki 'beti'. What do you have to say about it?

See people say anything they like. But, I want to ask, what is 100 gms? And what did the support team do? She was pulled to the streets, she is a sportsperson. 

 

And then, in the Olympics, a gold medal was confirmed but, what happened? Congress has now given her an identity and she is fighting the elections and if BJP thinks that her stepping in politics is bad let it be. 

 

She is a strong sportsperson and she will do us good.
 
Hooda and his family have made a power centre, is it true?

Yes, there is a power centre, but I can't point it out to someone individually. Plus, this forum is also not correct to be having this discussion.

 

You are such an experienced politician, with so many victories in hand if you are not able to cut through this power circle, then who will?

I think you are trying to provoke me. It's election time and all I want is Congress to succeed. 

 

Is it possible that a non-MLA will make a CM face?

There has to be a level playing ground. And it is all in the hands of the party leaders. Yes, it has happened earlier, not only in Haryana but in other states as well.