A blame game began in the Congress on Tuesday after it failed in its bid to come back to power in Haryana after 10 years, with senior party leader Kumari Selja saying the party high command should assess all reasons that led to the disappointing result and identify the people responsible.
On the other hand alleging a conspiracy, the Congress said it would not accept the Haryana Assembly poll result as it raises “serious questions” about the integrity of the instruments of the democratic system. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the Haryana result is a victory of manipulations, and subverting the will of people. He also alleged that it is a defeat of the transparent and democratic processes.
The knives were out in the Congress even before the declaration of final results, as party veteran Kumari Selja, who had been sulking during the election which was effectively led by former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, said that "it will not be business as usual" and called for introspection.
"The Haryana poll results are disappointing and I am pained at the disappointment of the Congress workers in the state who have worked very hard and were looking forward to forming their government after 10 years.
"It will not be business as usual in Haryana and I am sure the Congress high command would identify those who negated the efforts to bring the party to power after 10 years," she told the media.
The Sirsa Lok Sabha MP and former union minister said she was sure that the Congress high command would go into all aspects that led to such results and would identify the reasons and those responsible for bringing such results. "I'm sure the party will look into all aspects that led to such results in Haryana," Selja said.
She referred to factors affecting the organisation like taking everyone along and ensuring coordination among all the leaders in the state.
Ramesh claimed there were “serious issues” with the counting process and the functioning of the electronic voting machines (EVMs) in around 14 constituencies and that Congress would take up the matter with the Election Commission soon.
"Results in Haryana are totally unexpected and surprising. They go against ground reality and the sentiment of the people which was for change,” Ramesh said at a press conference with Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera.
"Under these circumstances, it is not possible for us to accept these results (in Haryana)... There are serious issues raised by our candidates which we will raise with the EC,” Ramesh said.
“Victory has been snatched from us in Haryana... The results are against the sentiment of the people which was for change.
The Congress has been made to lose in Haryana and the chapter is not closed," Ramesh said. On the Jammu and Kashmir results, Ramesh said the people have defeated the “mischievous designs” of the BJP to muster a majority somehow.
"People have given a befitting reply to those who trampled upon J-K's respect by taking away its statehood. The NC-Congress government will make all efforts for the restoration of J-K's statehood," Ramesh said.
