No Congress MP will be allowed to contest Haryana assembly polls: Deepak Babaria

Congress MPs from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will not be given permission by the party to contest Haryana assembly polls, All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge of the state Deepak Babaria said on Wednesday.
Babaria’s remarks come amid speculation that some senior leaders such as Kumari Selja were keen on contesting the elections. He said this as the party’s screening committee, headed by Ajay Maken, met here to deliberate on potential candidates for 90 assembly seats.
Asked about some MPs being interested in contesting the assembly polls in Haryana, Babaria told reporters, “Nobody will be given permission to contest.”
Pressed further on the issue, he said, “To fight elections they will be required to take permission from the Congress president and high command and the broad thinking that is emerging is that no one will be given permission.” “When the claim of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha member comes, the committee’s approach would be that they should focus on the campaign instead of contesting,” he said.
Later, Babaria said discussion has been held on potential candidates for 25 seats. “In my knowledge, no Parliament member has shown any desire to contest the assembly elections. Without permission of the party, how can anyone contest elections?” he said.
Asked if Randeep Surjewala’s son may contest the polls, Babaria said he could if he wants to.
His remarks come days after Lok Sabha MP Selja indicated her desire to contest the upcoming assembly elections and said she wishes to work in the state but the high command will take a final call on the matter. There was speculation that Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Surjewala may also be considering to contest the polls.