Hooda loyalists get tickets in Haryana poll

The Congress on Wednesday night appeared to give a free hand to Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in the ticket distribution for the October 15 assembly elections.

A majority of Hooda supporters have been fielded for the assembly elections with detractors Kumari Selja and PCC chief Ashok Tanwar virtually sidelined.

Hooda has been fielded from his pocket borough of Garhi Sampla Kiloi, an assembly segment in the family stronghold OF Rohtak. 

The chief minister’s son Deepender was the only Congress candidate who managed to win the seat in Haryana. The junior Hooda had a lead of more than 70,000 in the assembly segment.

Haryana Speaker Kuldeep Sharma will contest from Ganaur. Power Minister and AICC spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala will contest from Kaithal. 

Former Chief Minister Bansi Lal's daughter-in-law Kiran Chaudhary is the candidate from Tosham, while his son Ranbir Singh Mahendra has been fielded from Badhra seat in Bhiwani district. Chaudhary was keen on the party ticket for her daughter Shruti Chaudhary, a former MP.