Congress to replace its Haryana chief Ashok Tanwar: Sources

In a massive development, Congress is all set to replace Haryana State party chief Ashok Tanwar to end bitter factionalism in the party in recent months, as per sources. As the state of Haryana will witness the assembly elections later this year, Sonia Gandhi as a party chief has key challenges including to solve the factionalism in the state between former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Ashok Tanwar. On Wednesday, Hooda met Sonia Gandhi and said that party will not grow under Tanwar, said sources. 

On August 19, Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that a committee has been formed of 25 people which includes MLAs, PCC and other state leaders. The committee will take the decision for the future course of action and the presser will be done in Chandigarh after two days. Hooda is also in talks with Sonia Gandhi the Congress president. Reportedly, the committee wants Deepinder Hooda to be CM face. However, sources also clarified that Hooda will not be the chief but names has been suggested for the post. 

READ: BJP's Amit Malviya speculates rift between former Haryana CM BS Hooda and Congress over Article 370 abrogation

Even as Tanwar did not resign after poll debacle of Congress Party in the Parliamentary election 2019 unlike other Congress chiefs, differences have been witnessed in the Congress’s Haryana unit with party veteran Hooda revolting against the party leadership, sources said. The same old guard versus young turks clash has been prevailing in the Congress Haryana as well where the old leaders do not want Tanwar to continue. Sonia Gandhi apparently had had several rounds of meetings with senior leaders since August 15 to decide on a new unit chief in Haryana, as per sources.  

READ: ED charge-sheets Congress leaders Bhupinder Hooda, Moti Lal Vora

Haryana Legislative Assembly Elections

Haryana is set to go to polls on November 2019. The current Manohar Lal Khattar-led BJP government holds a single-party majority of 47 seats in the  90 seat Legislative Assembly. The opposition comprising of Congress, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Independent members hold 27 seats. The current Assembly will expire on 2 November 2019.

Bhupinder Singh Hooda to follow up on massive 'Congress has lost its way' dissatisfaction, details here

READ: Former Haryana CM Bhupinder Hooda slams Cong leaders for opposing Article 370 revocation, says 'no compromise on patriotism'