Rahul Gandhi Discusses INDIA Bloc Prospects in Haryana Polls

At the Congress's Central Election Committee meeting, Rahul Gandhi highlighted potential strategies for contesting the Haryana Assembly elections as part of the INDIA bloc. Discussions focused on seat allocation, with names finalized for 49 out of 90 constituencies. Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Udaybhan were confirmed as candidates for specific seats.

During the Congress's Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting on Monday, Rahul Gandhi discussed strategies for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections, particularly the prospects of contesting as part of the INDIA bloc, according to sources. The meeting, held at the Congress Headquarters in New Delhi, saw Gandhi emphasizing the need for a unified vote among alliance members.

Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda responded to Gandhi's suggestions by indicating that while they could offer 3-4 seats to AAP, the party's higher demands posed a challenge to forming an alliance. Sources mentioned that Hooda will stand from Garhi Sampla Kiloi constituency, and state president Udaybhan will contest from Hodal. The candidacies of Vinesh Phogat, Kumari Selja, and Randeep Surjewala were not discussed.

The CEC meeting reviewed candidates for all 90 state seats and finalized names for 49 seats. Deepak Babaria, AICC in-charge for Haryana, stated that the Congress will soon release a full list of candidates, with pending names to be cleared within days. The committee was chaired by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and attended by Gandhi and other CEC members. Haryana's single-phase election will be held on October 5, with votes counted on October 8.

(With inputs from agencies.)