"Media doesn't see anyone bigger than one who was CM for 10 years": Kumari Selja downplays Hooda's dominance in Haryana

New Delhi [India], October 4 : Congress MP Kumari Selja on Friday denied claims that former Haryana CM and Congress leader Bhupinder Hooda has become the single strongest person in the State, saying that the media does not see anyone bigger than the one who has been the Chief Minister for 10 years.
"People who remain Chief Minister for 10 years, the media does not see anyone bigger than them... whether you agree or disagree. You'll first chase them and take their name. Till 2005, when Bhajan Lal was there, he was the only one. Apart from him, you did not see anyone else, because he had been the Chief Minister. But time has changed," the Congress leader said in an interview with ANI.
Asked about why she has not become Chief Minister yet, despite being in politics for so many years, the 61-year-old emphasised that not everyone in politics becomes a Chief Minister, and the post should not a measure of success.
She pointed out that many of her peers from her early days in politics haven't made it as far as she has. Some have left their original parties, while others have fallen out of the political landscape altogether.
"It's not necessary that everyone become the CM. Today you know me, you're taking my name. How many others who joined politics with me came this long? Some fell by the sides, and some joined another party. Each one has to navigate their path. I've navigated my path, and the very fact that you're saying that Selja can be the Chief Minister means that I've navigated it. How many have been able to do it?" the Congress MP said.
Selja also threw the gauntlet down as far as the Congress' choice for a probable Haryana CM goes. Selja said that the choice of the CM, should the Congress win, will be taken by the Party High Command, but she can't be ignored.
In an interview with ANI, she said that as a senior leader with enough weight she should be considered a front-runner for the top post.
"See, that only high command will have to answer, they will only decide. There are a few people who would be in the consideration zone, and I think Selja would be there. Seniority mein, kaam mein, in sab cheezon mein nam aur politics aur ye political decisions ye toh high command dekhega (the high command would look at the seniority, work done, and everything else. These political decisions would be taken by high command)," Selja told ANI.
"Toh aise mein Selja ko high command nazar andaz toh nahi karega (So the Party high command can't ignore Selja)," she said.
Haryana will go to the polls on October 5 to elect its 90-member state legislative assembly, with counting set to take place on October 8. In the 2019 elections, the BJP emerged as the single largest party, securing 40 seats, while Congress won 30 seats.