Congress Party Expels 13 Leaders in Haryana for Anti-Party Activities
The Congress party’s Haryana unit has taken decisive action, expelling 13 party leaders who engaged in what was deemed “anti-party activities.” This decision comes ahead of the assembly elections scheduled for October 5, 2024. The expulsion aims to address internal dissent and uphold party discipline.
Reasons for Expulsion
The main catalyst for these dismissals appears to be the discontent among several leaders regarding the allocation of election tickets. Many of them expressed dissatisfaction over not being selected to contest in the upcoming elections. In a clear message to party members, the Congress emphasized its commitment to maintaining discipline and unity within its ranks.
Details of the Expelled Leaders
According to the party order issued by Haryana Congress unit chief Uday Bhan, the following leaders have been expelled for a period of six years:
| Name | Constituency | Reserved Status |
|---|---|---|
| Naresh Dhande | Guhla | Scheduled Caste (SC) |
| Pradeep Gill | Jind | N/A |
| Sajjan Singh Dhull | Pundri | N/A |
| Sunita Battan | Nilokheri | Scheduled Caste (SC) |
| Rajeev Mamuram Gondar | N/A | N/A |
| Dayal Singh Sirohi | N/A | N/A |
| Vijay Jain | Panipat Rural | N/A |
| Dilbagh Sandil | Uchana Kalan | N/A |
| Ajit Phogat | Dadri | N/A |
| Abhijeet Singh | Bhiwani | N/A |
| Satbir Ratera | Bawani Kheda | Scheduled Caste (SC) |
| Neetu Mann | Prithla | N/A |
| Anita Dhull | Kalayat | N/A |
Rebellions and Withdrawals
While several leaders have distanced themselves from the party, others have opted to withdraw their nominations for various constituencies. Notably, senior Congress leader and former minister Sampat Singh withdrew his nomination from the Nalwa seat shortly after filing his papers. Similarly, Ram Kishan ‘Fauji’ retracted his candidacy from the Bawani Kheda seat. Additionally, former MLA Jasbir Malaur, who was poised to contest against Congress candidate and former minister Nirmal Singh from Ambala City, has also stepped back from the race.
Notable Candidates and Next Steps
Despite the challenges, the Congress party remains steadfast in its preparations for the elections. Nirmal Singh’s daughter, Chitra Sarwara, is set to contest from the Ambala Cantt seat, and the party has already initiated action against leader Sarwara, indicating the ongoing efforts to manage internal discord.
The Congress party is now focusing on uniting its base and appealing to voters as it heads toward a critical electoral battle in Haryana.
