A press conference held by senior Congress leader Kumari Selja in Haryana's Tohana town saw some unexpected drama last week, highlighting the factionalism still prevalent within the party at the local level.
Selja, the newly elected MP from Sirsa, was in Tohana on a thanksgiving visit after her recent election victory. However, as she began addressing the media, the door to the room became stuck, disrupting the conference. While the cause was likely accidental, it came amid tensions between Selja and supporters of former Agriculture Minister Paramvir Singh who had arrived outside.
When the door was eventually forced open, Singh's followers entered loudly protesting the alleged deliberate locking. Selja urged calm and continued her statement. Earlier during a workers' meeting, Paramvir's faction had also raised slogans, prompting her to clarify the event was non-political.
The incident exemplifies the ongoing factions within Congress at the Assembly segment level. While the high command will determine the CM candidate, local leaders like Paramvir and Nishan Singh continue vying for influence. Selja's comfortable win in Tohana showed her current strength, but unifying all groups remains vital for the party to challenge the ruling BJP. Coordination and communication between local and state representatives must improve to tackle infighting affecting public perception.
