The first meeting of the Haryana Congress state in-charge, Sanjay Dutt, with state leaders underlined the differences and infighting ailing the party.
On the first day in Chandigarh, Dutt held an open-house discussion that several leaders attended, including state president Rao Narender Singh, former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, former union minister Birender Singh, Sirsa MP Kumari Selja, Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda, and General Secretary Randeep Surjewala.
Selja said the failure to return to power was a big question mark. She said that problems arise when party workers are divided on the ground. She added that every time a new person in-charge arrives, we say we would move forward and work together; however, this needed to be translated into action, not just words.
Birender Singh said that a Congress worker's identity should not be defined by their association with any specific individual; rather, it should be defined by the ideology of the Congress.
On the other hand, Deepender Hooda targeted the BJP. He said that the Haryana Government was not formed by the will of the people; rather, it was brought about by the Election Commission and the use of black money.
In his turn, Surjewala said that to fight the BJP in Haryana, homeopathic medicine would not work. To fight BJP, an “operation will have to be done,” he said.
In response to Deepender Hooda’s comment on Congress’ high vote percentage in Haryana, Surjewala asked, "But how many MLAs came?"
He advised being cautious about SIR. He said that efforts would be made to reduce Congress votes by 5,000 to 10,000 votes in every assembly. He pointed out that the reason for Congress's defeat in Haryana was caste polarisation. He said that Congress lost in Ahirwal, and that the party has to include Agarwals, Punjabis and Brahmins to win the cities.
Former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda held the Election Commission responsible for the Congress party's defeat in the Assembly elections. On factionalism, he said that differences of opinion occur within a family. “If you want to unite everyone, bring them out onto the streets,” he said.
Hooda told the state in-charge to give Congress workers a programme that would see leaders and workers fighting the battle on the streets; as today, the Constitution and democracy were in danger.
Dutt said that if they wanted to change the government, they must first strengthen the organisation.
“Our objective is to strengthen the organisation. We must reach out to every section of society, especially the marginalised. We must make the Congress the number one party in Haryana. There is immense power in unity; if we stand together and work together, we will become a powerful force,” he said.
He added, “I want three pledges from the party workers. I seek a pledge of unity, discipline and hard work from the workers. We will move together and work together.”
Dutt also held one-to-one talks with MPs and MLAs.
Hooda asked Surjewala to stand by him, and then watch the spectacle. In response, Surjewala said, "I have been standing by you for 20 years; now it is your turn."