Haryana Assembly Election 2024: To avoid a potential rebellion, the Congress party in Haryana announced the majority of its candidates just hours before the nomination deadline. Despite this strategy, the party is still facing dissent in around six Assembly constituencies, which could jeopardise its hopes of winning power in the state.

The Congress is contesting 89 of the 90 Assembly seats and announced the names of 48 candidates late Wednesday night and into Thursday morning, the deadline for filing nomination papers. 

According to party sources, the move aimed to prevent those who were not chosen from joining rival parties or running as independents.

Haryana is scheduled to go for voting on October 5.

Some Congress heavyweights, including former MLAs and a Minister, filed independent nominations on Thursday after being refused the party ticket.

Infighting & Rebellion in Haryana Congress

Sampat Singh, a senior Congress leader and former minister, has filed an Independent nomination for the Nalwa Assembly constituency.

Rohita Rewri, a former MLA from Panipat (urban), has filed her nomination.

Chitra Sarwara, who was seeking the party ticket from Ambala cantonment, filed her nomination as an Independent after being denied the ticket. Her father Nirmal Singh was fielded from the neighbouring Ambala (city) seat. 

Sharda Rathore, a senior Congress party leader and former MLA, has also filed a nomination from the Ballabhgarh seat.

Former Haryana Congress MLA Lalit Nagar filed his nomination from the Tigaon Assembly segment, accusing the party of "stabbing him in the back" after being refused the party's nomination. 

Ram Kishan (Fauji), a former MLA from Bawani Khera, has also filed an Independent nomination.

Brijpal Chhappar and wife Pinky Chhappar have left the party due to Renu Bala's nomination for Sadhaura.

Former Minister Ramkumar Valmiki decided to run as an independent in Nilokheri.

Prem Hingakhedi is upset over Ramkaran Kala's nomination from the Shahabad assembly constituency.

Jitendra Hooda can run as an independent in Baroda because Induraj Singh Narwal has received a ticket.

Dr. Kapoor Narwal, who was close to former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, even quit the party because of Narwal.

Many figures, notably Parmendra Singh Dhul, expressed displeasure with Vinesh Phogat's candidature in Julana.

Bhupinder Hooda vs Selja Kumari

Factionalism among the Congress leadership could impact Haryana's 2024 elections. Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda's political battle with Sirsa MP and well-known Dalit politician Selja Kumari is already public.

Selja Kumari has expressed interest in the Chief Minister position, while Hooda has assumed the lead in selecting party candidates. With no alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party, the Congress released two lists of 32 candidates on September 6, 2024, including 28 existing MLAs. According to sources, Hooda had more authority than Selja on the first list, obtaining tickets for 28 of his faction's leaders while only four from Selja Kumari's side did.