In Haryana, key Congress faces missing from LS list; Hooda, Selja leave it to high command

None of the Congress candidates who had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections for the 10 seats in Haryana figure in the list of 299 applicants who have applied to the party high command to contest the upcoming elections, as the party begins its process of shortlisting candidates.

Among the few prominent faces who have sought party tickets through this process are former Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Sharma’s son Chanakya Pandit from Karnal, and retired IPS officer Subhash Yadav from Gurgaon.

Deepak Babaria, AICC in charge of Haryana, told The Indian Express that except a couple of seats, “there is a lot of enthusiasm among party workers and leaders on all other seats”.

“There is healthy competition as party workers are staking their claim to contest. The screening committee will meet on February 13, which will send recommendations to the high command. The final meeting is expected to take place in New Delhi on the 15th or 16th of this month, and then the names of the candidates will be announced,” said Babaria.

On senior party leaders missing from the list of those who have applied, Babaria said, “Senior leaders sometimes feel it is the party that should invite them to contest. There is nothing more to it. The party will soon announce its final candidates’ list.”

Talking to The Indian Express, a party veteran said, “The lists compiled by the party include all those who are seeking tickets to contest the Lok Sabha polls. The Congress follows a democratic process. The topmost factor is winnability. Other factors are also kept in mind before declaring candidates. If the high command feels there is some other party worker or leader who needs to be fielded in a particular constituency, it can also be done. Sometimes, big leaders