In a strategic move as the Haryana assembly elections approach, the Congress party has unveiled its third list of candidates, further shaping the electoral landscape. The latest announcement includes 40 candidates, marking a significant step as the party aims to solidify its position in the upcoming polls.
A notable inclusion is Aditya Surjewala, son of Congress MP Randeep Surjewala, who will represent the party from Kaithal. This decision underscores the Congress’s attempt to leverage political legacies and consolidate support in key constituencies. With this list, the Congress has now named 81 candidates for the 90-member Haryana assembly, leaving nine seats still open. The party has until Thursday to finalize candidates for the remaining constituencies, which include Ambala Cantt, Panipat Rural, Tigaon, Sohna, Narwana, Bhiwani, Rania, Narnaund, and Uklana.
The third list also features prominent figures such as former deputy chief minister Chander Mohan, running from Panchkula, and former minister Nirmal Singh, contesting from Ambala City. Other notable candidates include Akram Khan from Jagadhri, Balwan Singh Daulatpuria from Fatehabad, and Ram Niwas Rara from Hisar. The list highlights the Congress’s strategy of fielding experienced leaders alongside new faces to bolster its appeal across various regions.
The party’s choice to field Vikas, son of Hisar MP Jai Prakash, from Kalayat, and Pooja Chaudhary, wife of Ambala MP Varun Chaudhary, from Mulana (SC) reflects a broader attempt to harness familial and regional connections. This move also highlights the Congress’s efforts to maintain its hold on seats with personal and political significance.
In other key areas, the Congress has selected Mandeep Singh Chatha for Pehowa, Gokul Setia for Sirsa, and Bharat Singh Beniwal for Ellenabad. The inclusion of Akram Khan, a senior leader, running from Jagadhri, and the renomination of 28 sitting MLAs, including prominent figures like Bhupendra Singh Hooda and Udai Bhan, underscores the party’s focus on continuity and experience.
The Congress’s candidate selection comes amid stalled seat-sharing negotiations with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). While the Congress had engaged in intense bargaining with AAP, discussions have reached an impasse, leading AAP to release multiple candidate lists independently. This development has added a layer of complexity to the electoral dynamics.
With the Haryana assembly elections scheduled for October 5 and vote counting set for October 8, the Congress’s final candidate announcements and the ongoing negotiations with AAP will be crucial in shaping the election’s outcome. The party’s strategy to balance established leaders with new faces and navigate alliances will be closely watched as the election campaign intensifies.
