Congress Finalizes Haryana Assembly Poll Candidates Amid Alliance Speculations

The Central Election Committee (CEC) of the Congress has finalized candidates for 66 out of 90 Haryana Assembly seats, with a first list expected soon. Discussions on alliances with AAP continue despite internal opposition. Olympians Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia join Congress ahead of the October polls.

The Central Election Committee (CEC) of the Congress convened on Friday to finalize candidates for the forthcoming Haryana Assembly elections. Sources revealed that the party's initial list of nominees might be released imminently.

The meeting saw the presence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chief Sonia Gandhi, general secretary K C Venugopal, Haryana in-charge Deepak Babaria, and ex-chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, among others.

Regarding the participation of MPs, Babaria stated that no MP has been permitted to contest the Assembly elections. Specifically addressing Vinesh Phogat's candidacy, Babaria confirmed her run from Julana.

Out of 90 seats, the CEC has approved candidates for 66. However, the Congress is yet to publish any list. A sub-committee is still deliberating on nominees for the remaining 24 seats.

In addition, the Congress is negotiating seat-sharing arrangements with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the Haryana polls. Internal factions, particularly the Hooda group, have voiced opposition to an alliance, arguing that AAP lacks substantial influence in Haryana.

Meanwhile, Olympians Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, prominent during last year's wrestlers' protest, joined Congress, expressing their commitment to the political process.

The 90-member Haryana Assembly will hold elections on October 5, with vote counting set for October 8.

(With inputs from agencies.)