Amid preparations for the assembly elections in Haryana, there is a close battle between BJP and Congress over the face of the Chief Minister. BJP has given an open challenge to Rahul Gandhi to announce the CM's face.
The saffron regiment has also suggested the name of Kumari Selja for the Congress' CM's face. The grand old party meanwhile, has also responded to the same asking why BJP didn't declare its chief ministerial candidates in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan before the assembly polls.
Who are the contenders for the post of CM from Congress in Haryana?
The BJP wrote on its official X handle on Wednesday, "The BJP has made Nayab Singh Saini from the backward class the Chief Minister. If Rahul Gandhi is supporting the SC class, then he should take the initiative to declare Kumari Selja as the Congress's Chief Ministerial candidate."
Congress and BJP have already locked horns over the face of the Chief Minister in Haryana. Former Chief Minister Bhupendra Singh Hooda and his MP son Deependra Singh Hooda are strong contenders for the post of Chief Minister in the Congress. Sirsa MP and former Union Minister Kumari Selja had staked a claim for the post of Chief Minister this week saying that if the Congress high command wants, why can't she become the Chief Minister? There was increased restlessness in the Hooda camp after Selja's claim.
Congress general secretary and Rajya Sabha member Randeep Surjewala also considers himself to be in the first line of Chief Minister. Another contender for the post of Chief Minister, Kiran Chaudhary, has left the Congress and joined the BJP.
Meanwhile, Senior BJP leaders, including Union Minister Amit Shah, met at party president JP Nadda's residence here on Thursday to discuss the names of probable candidates for the upcoming Haryana assembly polls.
This came ahead of the BJP's central election committee (CEC) meeting in the evening, during which the panel could finalise the names of its nominees for the polls to be held on October 1.